Alma Ja’arour isn’t like most youngsters her age. As an alternative of speaking about college and buddies, her days are stuffed with recollections of the household she misplaced and the uncertainty of her future after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire settlement on Jan. 15.
Alma, who’s 12 years outdated, is the only real survivor of her household after her dwelling was bombed in December 2023 in Gaza Metropolis.
Quickly, she’s going to return — to not the house she as soon as knew, however to a graveyard the place her mother and father and siblings relaxation.
Folks examine the rubble of a home the place two Palestinian militants had been killed throughout an Israeli raid in Burqin village close to Jenin within the occupied West Financial institution, Jan. 23, 2025.
AFP by way of Getty Photos
“My mom, father, and brothers are all buried in a single grave in our dwelling in Gaza Metropolis,” she advised ABC Information. “I wish to see them, say goodbye. However what’s going to I do after that? There isn’t any dwelling to return to, nobody ready for me.”
After 15 months of dwelling in displacement camps due to the continuing battle between Israel and Hamas, Alma and others like her will probably be allowed to return to northern Gaza on Saturday.
However for Alma, returning with out her household is tough, she advised ABC Information.
Alma’s story is one in all numerous others unfolding throughout Gaza, the place youngsters like her face unimaginable challenges. The continuing battle has left over 17,000 youngsters separated from their mother and father, in accordance with UNICEF.
Amid the challenges Alma has confronted, she has one want.
“I wish to make my mother and father happy with me in heaven,” Alma advised ABC Information.
Her hope is to change into a health care provider, fulfilling a need that her late father at all times inspired, she stated.
“By means of schooling, I can obtain my targets. I’ll work onerous to make my father proud,” Alma added.
Alma has been dwelling in a tent on the Al-Barakah Orphanage Camp in Khan Younis.
Mahmoud Kalakh, the camp’s director, stated the youngsters within the orphanage show resilience, regardless of the tragedy round them.
“These youngsters carry the burden of tragedy, but they nonetheless dream of a greater future,” he stated. “Our position is to offer them with the assist they should heal and rebuild their lives.”
UNICEF and different humanitarian organizations have referred to as for pressing assist for youngsters like Alma. The lack of household, schooling and primary requirements has created a disaster that requires quick world consideration, world support organizations say.
“Kids are essentially the most susceptible in conflicts,” a UNICEF spokesperson stated. “We should guarantee they’ve the assets and care they should survive and thrive.”
