Overview

• Ahlam Firwana, 59, was evacuated from Gaza City in September through a coordinated operation reported this week by multiple outlets citing The Washington Post.
• The mission secured a brief deconfliction with Israeli forces, relied on surveillance and movement‑tracking software, and used Israeli security contacts to keep her route off target lists.
• Veterans with the Special Operations Association of America led the effort, raising about $10,000 for transport as retired Col. Steve Gabavics leveraged Israeli security ties.
• When hired transport failed due to fighting and congestion, a relative drove her partway to Kerem Shalom before she walked nine miles; the journey lasted 19 hours and concluded in Jordan on Sept. 17.
• Morgan Ortagus and U.S. diplomats in Jordan helped facilitate the passage, and Firwana is now in Jordan awaiting U.S. visa approval while her son in California continues seeking help for siblings still in Gaza.