COLUMBUS, Ohio — Despite living in central Ohio, thousands of miles away from the middle east, Afnan Isleem Algharabli said her life has been turned upside down these past few days.

“It’s been very, very hard staying calm or sticking to our routine because being worried about someone, to make sure that they’re still alive, and at the same time, living life normal is quite hard,” said Algharabli.

Algharabli has multiple family members living in Gaza, including her mother and her niece.

“It’s very sad stressful being here and not knowing what’s going on. Feeling guilty that I cannot do anything to help them or support them. Feeling guilty that I’m living life and them struggling to stay alive,” said Algharabli.

Algharabli said during the war, her family has struggled to find shelter, jumping from place to place trying to stay safe. It’s prompted her to check online each night to see if they’ve been targeted.

“Throughout the night, I go through the names of families being targeted. It’s selfish, but I do that just to make sure that not someone from my family is not included on the list there,” said Algharabli. 

She said her family still calls her which makes her stay strong knowing how much they are struggling in Gaza. 

“I have a niece who called screaming crying saying, 'please take me, take me with you.' And we didn’t know what to tell her. We wish that we could protect you, we wish that we could take you here, but I remember them, and I remember their struggle and I have to stay strong,” said Algharabli.

CAIR-Ohio, The Council on American Islamic Relations says Palestinians, Israelis and everyone with family on the ground are terrified right now, and that they remain committed to a future where every life is precious.

At least 2,300 people have died in the Israel-Hamas war, and the death toll is expected to rise. Follow along for live updates here.