An Oldham woman’s fiancé who remains stuck in Gaza has had his case taken to the Prime Minister.
Hani Abualqaraya is Islamically married to Oldham resident Afshan Abubakar.
The couple have been trying to reunite since before war broke out in the region following the Hamas attack on October 7, having originally applied for a visa in late September.
Despite being approved to be evacuated from Gaza, Hani has been unable to get out – with the UK Foreign Office saying it is unable to help until Israel or Egypt put Hani’s name on a cleared list for official evacuation.
Last week, Hani was attacked by thieves in Gaza, leaving him with a broken left leg, and stitches in his head. Due to the situation, he has been unable to receive proper medical treatment.
Afshan said Hani is ‘distressed and in pain’. She has started a petition on Change.org which she hopes will raise awareness into expediting his clearance to leave.
She said: “Every day he was looking for hope, some good news. When he sees all these lists printed of names cleared and he doesn’t see his name on it, it frustrates him more.”
Afshan is worried Hani could be killed any day, with the war continuing to rage. The Hamas-controlled health ministry has reported 25,000 deaths in Gaza since the war began.
Last week, UN Secretary General António Guterres said he would ‘not relent in his call’ for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and a release of all hostages in the conflict.
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Case taken to Prime Minister
On Tuesday, Oldham MP Debbie Abrahams took Hani’s case directly to the Prime Minister, after bringing it to the attention of house leader Penny Mordaunt on Thursday last week.
Questioning the Prime Minister following a statement on UK military action against the Houthis, Ms Abrahams said: “Can I ask the Prime Minister about a constituent’s partner?
“He has been awaiting evacuation from south Gaza for a number of months now, he now has suffered a broken leg. He’s receiving no healthcare.
“So, can I urge the Prime Minister to liaise with the Israeli and Egyptian authorities for his immediate evacuation? It can’t carry on. Thank you.”
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In response, the Prime Minister said: “I’m very happy to do that, and I’ll follow up with the Leader of the House on the Honourable Lady’s case.”
Afshan said she was ‘shocked’ at the Parliamentary intervention.
She said: “I just sent it to Hani to give him hope. I started crying in shock and in some form of relief – there’s hope he’ll get out.
“For Rishi Sunak to say this – I didn’t expect this. The fact that he said he will help Debbie, it’s a big thing isn’t it?”
If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Oldham. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk or click to send me a message on WhatsApp or on Signal on 07517566383.
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