Heartbreaking struggle as Gaza’s war orphans share their stories on Kurdistan24
Three-month-old baby girl "Reem" stands as a poignant symbol of survival. She is the sole survivor of the Jihad Abu Hayya family, who perished during an Israeli bombardment of their home in Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Yunis.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The ongoing conflict in Gaza has reached a grim milestone, with 320 days of violence taking a devastating toll on Palestinian lives.
More than 40,000 individuals have lost their lives, leaving behind shattered families and a generation of orphaned children. Amidst the chaos, the humanitarian situation in the Strip continues to deteriorate.
Orphaned Children: A Heartbreaking Reality
Estimates by international organizations suggest that at least twenty thousand children in Gaza have been left orphaned due to the conflict.
These innocent souls have lost all their family members, with no known father or mother to care for them. Their fate remains uncertain as they navigate a world scarred by war.
Reem's Survival: A Tragic Tale
Three-month-old baby girl "Reem" stands as a poignant symbol of survival. She is the sole survivor of the Jihad Abu Hayya family, who perished during an Israeli bombardment of their home in Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Yunis.
Reem's parents, seven siblings, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren were all killed, leaving her alone in a world forever changed by violence.
Guardianship Amidst Tragedy
Kurdistan24 correspondent Baha Tabasi spoke with Reem's elderly aunt, Fatima Hayya, who now cares for the infant.
"Reem's entire family was killed by Israeli missiles," Fatima shared. "She is the only one who survived, and I am now taking care of her."
Mahdi and Hanan: A Sibling Bond Tested
Mahdi and his sister Hanan faced a similar fate. Injured during an Israeli airstrike on the Ahli Arab Hospital, they lost their entire family.
Their uncle, Mohammed al-Hamami, recounted their story: "We were displaced from Gaza after my brother was martyred. I buried him, his wife, and three of his children. Only Mahdi and Hanan remained. We hope that their needs will be met."
A Desperate Plea for Peace
Hanan Al-Hamami, speaking on behalf of herself and her younger brother, expressed their longing for normalcy.
"We don't want anything now," she said. "We want the war to end, and we want to return to our homes. When, oh God, will we return?"
Unforgettable Trauma
The psychological and physical effects of the ongoing conflict weigh heavily on Gaza's children.
Despite the world's awareness, the war persists, leaving these young souls scarred and struggling to forget the horrors they have witnessed.
Report by Baha Tabasi - Kurdistan 24