In the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, seven-year-old Mohammed Hijazi discovered a deadly reminder of conflict: an unexploded ordnance. After fleeing multiple airstrikes with his family, the boy picked up the object in March—and it detonated, costing him one eye and threatening the other.
"If Hamoud does not travel abroad very soon, he might lose his remaining eye," says his father, who is racing to secure a medical evacuation. With Gaza hospitals overwhelmed and critical care in short supply, urgent treatment overseas may be the only hope left for the boy.
Beyond the front lines, explosive remnants pose a hidden threat across Gaza. Humanitarian groups warn that such devices can lie dormant for months, endangering children who mistake them for toys or salvageable scrap.
For the Hijazi family, each day is a struggle against time and bureaucracy. They pray that little Mohammed will one day see the world again—even if only through one eye.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
