I Am a Child Living a Nightmare in Gaza: Facing the Constant Threat of Being Killed or Orphaned in Gaza

A Story from Gaza: A Child’s Nightmare of Fear, Loss, and Hope

My name is Yomna and I am only 8 years old. I live in Gaza, where each new day is waking up in hell. Between constant bombardments and constant war, children like me are threatened with the horrifying threat of being killed or orphaned in Gaza at any moment. That is my story — a story of fear, loss, resilience, and a glimpse of unbreakable hope for a better future.

Life Before the War

I lived in a great flat with my family — my mom, dad, brother Kareem, and our cat Misho.

I had my own room full of toys, a bed, and a study desk.

We lived life to the fullest with school, friends, basketball practice, and singing in choir.

We went out, ate in restaurants, and experienced simple things like playing and learning.

The Day Everything Changed

The day that changed the course of life started normally in the morning with sounds silenced abruptly by shock-filled rockets and bombings. My brother was playing video games when the outbreak happened; he went screaming to our parents, frightened and bewildered. No other choice but to leave our house and move to the security of my grandparents’ house, where there were many families brought together away from harm. The house was stuffy, with little food, little water, and no privacy — a bitter reminder of how war not only deprives us of our homes but also of our security and normality.

Living in Fear: Constant Threat of Being Killed or Orphaned in Gaza

To live in Gaza is to live in a nightmare on a daily basis, where there is a possibility of harm always around the corner and security as elusive as a dream. Children such as myself endure unimaginable tragedy and suffering that no child should have to endure on a daily basis.

I am always in fear of being killed or becoming an orphan in Gaza.

Hospitals are under strain, and many injured people cannot obtain the medical attention they so desperately need.

Food is scarce and frequently unsafe to eat, so hunger is ever-present.

Bombs happen nearby, and shrapnel can land anywhere — my uncle was severely injured in one such bombing.

As a result of it all, I am afraid to go out of the house alone and constantly fear for the safety of my family and friends.

This is the bitter reality we live every day— life in uncertainty, fear, and hope for peace.

Missing Normal Childhood Moments

I miss the normal childhood moments that were lost due to the Gaza war. School has been out for more than seven months now, and I wish I could see my teachers and friends once again. I particularly miss the technology class where I studied coding, a subject that gave me hope and optimism for the future. Outside of school, I enjoyed playing basketball and singing in the choir — activities that made me happy and feel like I belonged to something.

All those innocent pleasures are no longer achievable due to the extent of the damage. My favorite playground and the choir hall on Al Shifa Hospital’s opposite side, which were fun and laughing areas, are ruined entirely. The flattening of these sanctuaries illustrates how Gaza’s unlimited brutality deprives the child of their childhood, education, and chance to grow and mature.

The Harsh Reality of Survival

Food is mainly in cans and also of poor quality compared to before the war..

I help my grandmother prepare bread in a clay oven since stores and bakeries are scarce.

Our routine daily life is changed — sometimes we eat only once in the morning.

I no longer ask for things from my parents since money is scarce and provisions are low.

I am afraid of what will happen to me and the other children here in the future.

A Child’s Plea for Peace and Support

I would like the world to know the reality of life in Gaza, where children like me can be murdered or killed and orphaned in gaza every day because of war and bombs. Most innocent children are exposed to displacement or loss of parents in the destruction, with most of them having to stay in congested tents or camps without access to very basic needs such as clean water, proper nutrition, and medical attention. The war has also come along with a fight for survival in everyday activities, traumatizing the children and exposing them.

My biggest wish is to have a lasting peace so that I, and all of the children, can go home safely, go back to school, and not live in fear of being attacked by violence. My dream is for the day when children in Gaza will have a normal childhood — without living in fear of the horrors of war, with the chance to learn, play, and develop safely.

Support Children’s Aid Gaza Appeal 

Please help families like mine in Gaza who are living in desperate need. Your support can provide food, medical aid, and shelter to children at risk of being killed or orphaned in Gaza. Donate to organizations working on the ground to bring relief and hope.Together, we can make a difference and help bring peace to children who deserve a safe and secure childhood. Donate Here.