Orphaned Siblings Struggle to Survive in War-Torn Gaza
In the midst of the chaos and destruction that has engulfed Gaza, two young siblings, Nagham and Mohammad al-Yaziji, are facing unimaginable challenges as they try to keep their family together. The war has taken away their parents, leaving them to care for their seven younger siblings in a small tent in Rafah.
The tragedy struck when their mother, Shouq al-Yazji, lost her life during the first week of Israel’s war on Gaza. She had asked Nagham and Mohammad to look after their three-month-old sister, Toleen, while she visited their grandfather nearby. Little did they know that this would be the last time they would see their mother alive.
Devastated by the loss, the siblings were left to navigate the worsening safety situation in their neighborhood without their mother’s guidance. Seeking refuge, their father took them to al-Shifa Hospital, but conditions there were dire, with overcrowding and a severe lack of basic necessities. Fearing for their safety, they made the difficult decision to flee further south.
However, tragedy struck once again when their father disappeared while trying to gather essential supplies for their journey. Left with no choice, Nagham and Mohammad sought help from their uncle, who assisted them in setting up their makeshift tent. With their uncle unable to live with them permanently, the burden fell on the older siblings to care for their younger brothers and sisters.
Every day is a struggle for survival. Mohammad takes on the role of a father figure, queuing for water, aid, and bread each morning. He even heats up water over a wood fire to prepare formula for baby Toleen. Despite his efforts, there are times when he returns empty-handed, and his siblings go to bed hungry.
Nagham, as the eldest, takes on the responsibility of mothering her siblings. From preparing meals to changing diapers, she does her best to provide for the family. However, the weight of the situation weighs heavily on her young shoulders. She admits to feeling overwhelmed and often cries along with her baby sister when she can’t understand what she needs.
While both Nagham and Mohammad hope for an end to the war and answers about their father’s fate, they live in constant fear of Israeli raids and the looming threat of a land assault. The siblings find themselves trembling with terror every time the bombs fall, trying to reassure their younger siblings while battling their own fears.
With nowhere safe to go, they remain in their tent, clinging to each other and their hopes for a better future. The absence of their parents is a constant ache in their hearts, making each day unbearably hard and sad.
As the world watches the devastating effects of war unfold in Gaza, it is crucial to remember the stories of individuals like Nagham and Mohammad. They represent the countless innocent children who are forced to grow up too soon, robbed of their childhoods by the horrors of conflict. Their resilience and determination to protect their siblings in the face of unimaginable adversity is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
Let us not forget their names or their stories. Let us stand together in solidarity with the people of Gaza, demanding an end to the violence and a future where children like Nagham and Mohammad can live without fear.
