Gaza: Eleven-year-old Yaqeen Hammad, one of Gaza’s youngest humanitarian voices and a rising social media influencer, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Deir el-Balah on Friday (May 23) night.
Her death is part of a devastating escalation of violence that claimed the lives of more than a dozen children in just 48 hours, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, as Israel intensifies its bombardment and siege on the war-torn enclave.
Who Was Yaqeen Hammad?
Yaqeen had become a well-known figure in Gaza for her radiant spirit and humanitarian efforts. Alongside her brother, Mohamed Hammad, she volunteered with displaced families, delivering food parcels, clothing, and toys to children made homeless by Israeli airstrikes. The siblings were actively involved with the Ouena collective, a local nonprofit focused on aid and relief.
Described by peers as compassionate and determined, Yaqeen used her growing online platform to document the daily struggles of life under blockade and bombardment. Despite her young age, she had become a beacon of hope and resilience in a territory ravaged by war and deprivation.
Palestine Chronicle, reporting on her death, highlighted her role as both a volunteer and content creator, balancing school and activism in a region where normal childhoods are a rarity. Her efforts drew admiration not just within Gaza but from a global audience following her social media accounts.
A Symbol of Gaza’s Lost Innocence
The response to Yaqeen’s killing has been marked by widespread grief and anger. “Her body may be gone, but her impact remains a beacon of humanity,” Gaza photojournalist Mahmoud Bassam posted on Instagram, as tributes poured in across platforms.
Another social media user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Instead of being at school and enjoying her childhood, she was active on Instagram and participating in campaigns to help others in Gaza. No words. Absolutely no words.”
Yaqeen’s death comes amid a broader crisis, with aid agencies warning that over 70,000 children in Gaza are facing acute malnutrition due to a relentless blockade that has cut off access to basic necessities. UNICEF and the World Food Programme have sounded alarms over the imminent threat of starvation.
Yaqeen’s short but impactful life now stands as a painful symbol of the children lost in Gaza.
