A young teenage girl named Malak bears the emotional and physical scars of a devastating Israeli raid that not only claimed her father’s life but also left her with a permanent injury. This incident, which occurred during a complex military operation, highlights the profound impact of ongoing conflict on innocent lives.
The Tragic Loss
Malak, now 13, remembers her father, Abed-Alrahman al-Najjar, a 32-year-old farm laborer, vividly. His life was cut short in February 2024 when an Israeli commando operation in Rafah aimed at rescuing hostages resulted in a tragic loss of life. Malak was asleep with her family in a refugee tent when the raid commenced. The family tent was close to the violence, and in the chaos, Malak lost her right eye due to shrapnel and suffered additional wounds. “I am in pain. I lost my dad. Enough!” she lamented during her first interview with a BBC correspondent shortly after the incident.
A New Chapter of Life
In the months that followed, Malak has shown remarkable resilience. With a small white sphere fitted in her empty eye socket, she is hopeful for a proper prosthetic in the future, but her focus remains on her family’s well-being and her newborn sister, Rahma, born just three months after their father’s death. Despite the immense sorrow she carries, Malak expressed an unconditional love for her sister: “I love her so much, in a way no one else knows.” She imagines how her father would have cherished this new life, smiling as she recalled his dream of having a daughter with blue eyes.
The Reality of Displacement
Malak’s mother, Nawara, lives in constant fear for her children’s safety amid the ongoing conflict. The family’s life has been uprooted multiple times over the past year, experiencing displacement that feels perpetual. “I carry a pain that even mountains cannot bear,” Malak shares. The United Nations reports that nearly 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced, adding to the immense psychological strain on families like the al-Najjars.
Nawara recounts the kindness of her late husband, who worked tirelessly to support their family, often sacrificing his own comforts. “He was so kind to us,” Malak reflects. Their story is a poignant reminder of the emotional toll of war on families and the lasting scars it leaves.
A Struggle for Survival
The family’s situation is dire, as they rely on charities and extended family for basic necessities. With schools closed due to the conflict, Malak and her siblings are deprived of education, and their health has deteriorated significantly. “My children are always sick, always have fevers or diarrhea,” Nawara laments, showcasing the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Nawara maintains a deep connection to her husband through memories and daily rituals, speaking to him as if he can hear her. “I keep talking to him on the phone as if he’s replying to me,” she reveals, demonstrating the profound grief and longing that fills her days.
Hopes for the Future
Despite the overwhelming grief, Malak dreams of becoming an eye doctor to help others like herself. Her ambition reflects a desire to turn personal suffering into a source of healing for others. Each day, she and her sister perform charitable acts in memory of their father, keeping his spirit alive even amid unimaginable pain.
The al-Najjar family’s story, shared by local journalists amid restrictions on foreign reporters in Gaza, serves as a microcosm of the broader humanitarian crisis resulting from prolonged conflict. Their pain and resilience highlight the urgent need for a resolution to the violence and for support for the countless families affected by this devastating reality.
As the war approaches its second anniversary, the struggle for survival continues for Malak and her family, and their experiences underscore the deep emotional and physical toll that conflict exacts on innocent lives.
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Written By Joe Brens