Meet Sanad Alqarra, a ten-year-old boy who survived an Israeli bomb blast that came very close to killing him.

Last April, Sanad was playing with his friends in the street (in eastern Khan Younis) when an explosion very close to them seriously injured him. Had it not been for the quick assistance of a neighbour, who rushed him to the hospital, he would have died. But he survived. For more than three weeks in the ICU, Sanad fought like a hero: he never complained about anything, even though he was mostly alone, as visiting hours in the ICU are very strict. Sanad had very serious shrapnel wounds in his neck, chest and arms, and he was subjected to very harsh techniques....

It was there that I met his father, Shadi, a photographer by profession (now unemployed). His father never left the hospital, even though he could only be with his son twice a day. He slept on the hospital floor, like all the other relatives of patients at Nasser Hospital.

Three weeks after his admission, Sanad was finally discharged and returned to his partially destroyed house (the Israelis have left barely a house standing). Although his body healed well, his mind still carries the post-traumatic stress of the horrible experience of being bombed and having to spend so much time in the ICU. He improved his mutism, his sadness, his refusal to go outside, but he still suffers from nightmares at night. In addition, his right hand is partially paralysed because a piece of shrapnel still remains in his body, rubbing against one of the nerves in his hand.

his hand.

Unfortunately, in June, Sanad's family had to move to a tent, as the Israelis forced the entire population of his town, Khan Younis, to move to a very narrow strip of beach to avoid being bombed. In the IDP camp where he now lives, nearly a million Gazans live in overcrowded, tarpaulin tents or shantytowns, with no waste collection or sewage disposal. There is also no running water or electricity. He, his parents and three siblings now live in a three-by-two metre tent. They don't eat enough, far from enough. Shadi is drowning in debt, having to pay back money that friends or relatives have lent him to put food in the mouths of his wife and children. These friends or relatives, in turn, do not have enough money. It's all a constant state of scarcity and worry.

I talk to them very often. I am happy to see that Sanad is doing better, that his mind is a bit better. But I am very sad about the situation they are living in. That is why I have opened this fundraising campaign, so that we can help them to eat better and, now that winter is approaching, to buy some warm clothes, which are very expensive.

Thank you very much for your collaboration. Any help is a huge gift.

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I present to you Sanad Alqarra, a ten-year-old boy, survivor of an explosion caused by an Israeli bomb that almost cost him his life.

Last April, Sanad was playing with his friends in the street (in eastern Jani Yunis) when a nearby explosion seriously injured him. If it weren't for the quick assistance of a neighbour, who rushed him to the hospital, he would have died. But he survived. For more than three weeks, while he was in ICU, Sanad fought like a hero: he never complained about anything, even though he was mostly alone, as ICU visiting hours are very strict. Sanad had severe shrapnel wounds in his neck, chest, and arms, and he underwent very tough procedures...

It was there that I met his father, Shadi, who is a professional photographer (currently unemployed). His father never left the hospital, although he could only be with his son twice a day. He slept on the hospital floor, like the rest of the family members of patients at Nasser Hospital.

After three weeks of hospitalization, Sanad was finally discharged and returned to his partially destroyed home (the Israelis hardly left a house intact). Although his body healed well, his mind still bears the trauma of the horrible experience he endured-being bombed and spending so much time in ICU. He improved in his mutism, his sadness, and his rejection of going outside, but he still suffers nightmares. Additionally, his right hand is partially paralyzed because some shrapnel remains in his body, touching one of the nerves in his hand.

Unfortunately, in June, Sanad's family had to move into a tent, as the Israelis forced all the residents of their city, Khani Yunis, to relocate to a very narrow strip of beach to avoid being bombed. In the displaced persons camp where they now live, nearly a million Gazans are crammed into tents or shanties, without waste collection or sewage systems. They also lack running water and electricity. Now, in a three-by-two-meter tent, he, his parents, and his three siblings live. They do not eat enough, or much at all. Shadi is overwhelmed with debt, having to repay friends or relatives who lent him money to buy food for his wife and children. These friends or family members, in turn, also do not have enough money. It is all a cycle of hardship and constant worry.

I speak with them very often. I am glad to see that Sanad is better, that his mind is a little clearer. But I am deeply saddened by the situation they are living in. That is why I have started this fundraiser-to help them have better food, and now that winter is approaching, to be able to buy some warm clothing, which is very expensive.

Many thanks for your support. Any help is a tremendous gift.