War on Gaza: My son was born into a world on fire

This story did not start today. It began a year ago - on 19 March 2024, to be exact. It has been a year of war, fear, hunger, loss, displacement and destruction in Gaza - a year of death lurking around every corner.

I saw death with my own eyes. I only realised I was still alive when my water broke in a moment of sheer terror. 

A missile had struck right beside our home. The blast was so powerful it blew the door open, and shrapnel came flying in as the acrid smell of smoke filled the air, mingling with the metallic scent of blood. 

I was certain it was over. But I was not afraid for myself; I was afraid for my baby, who had not even seen the sun yet. 

Would we be torn apart, my unborn child, my husband and I? I lost control, screaming: “We’re burning. We’re burning.”

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