After miraculously surviving an airstrike that killed her entire family, 5-month-old Reem is left as the lone survivor in Gaza. She is hungry and desperate for her mother’s milk, not fully comprehending the tragic loss she has suffered. Reem’s grandmother and aunts recount the devastating event that took the lives of 13 family members during a dinner at their home. Reem was pulled from the rubble, injured and traumatized, her family members not recognizable due to the extent of the destruction.
Reem’s situation reflects the broader crisis affecting children in Gaza, with around 17,000 children separated from their families due to the ongoing conflict. The International Rescue Committee warns of the long-term impacts of the violence and displacement on children’s development. Reem, in particular, is at risk of dehydration if she does not start taking milk soon.
As Reem seeks her mother’s comforting milk, doctors at Khan Younis’ Nasser Hospital emphasize the urgent need for her to feed. With thousands of children and adults killed in the conflict so far, the dire situation in Gaza continues to worsen. Reem’s surviving aunts are determined to care for her, knowing that she will grow up as an orphan like many other children in Gaza. Amidst the ongoing violence and destruction, Reem’s immediate need for nourishment and care defines the heartbreaking reality faced by many in war-torn Gaza.
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