We’ve been working on writing Sham’s story for weeks now, not knowing how to share it amongst the never-ending horrors caused by Israeli-manufactured genocide and famine against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip. But we want to honor her, just as we wish we could honor every one of the 50,000 Palestinian children who have been killed and injured in Gaza. 

Our precious children and their families are not just numbers, and today we will honor Sham and her family. 

By Eman, MECA staff in Gaza

Sham was part of the malnutrition program which was able to support at least 1000 malnourished children since May 2024. Our efforts to keep this program running alongside our partners are still ongoing.

Born During a Genocide: Sham’s Survival was a Miracle

Sham, a 17-month-year-old baby born during the genocide, was diagnosed with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) due to the Israeli blockade over the Gaza Strip that has created food and aid scarcity. Her father, Saeed, had been a day laborer, barely making $100 a month. After the Israeli genocide against Palestinians in Gaza started, he lost that income and became jobless, struggling to support his wife and two daughters, Judy and Jury.

“Sham came to the family in November 2023,” her mother, Aya, told me.

Aya’s voice trembled with tears as she spoke of the dark days that followed Sham’s birth. She was living in a school shelter where her family was crammed into a single classroom with three other families. But the thick, choking smoke from makeshift cooking fires quickly overwhelmed Sham’s fragile lungs. At just 10 days old, Sham was rushed back to the hospital.

For 45 days, Sham lay in intensive care, dependent on oxygen. During that time, while Aya stayed by her side, Israel issued yet another inhumane displacement order for the area where the school shelter was located, forcing Sham’s family to move again.

“Our family was separated,” Aya whispered. “That time was torment upon torment. I lived in fear every day.”

Sham’s lungs were severely inflamed, yet she held on with quiet strength.

Doctors said her survival was truly a miracle. When she was finally discharged, her family returned together to the school shelter, believing the danger had passed for now.

A Second Miracle: Sham’s battle against Starvation

Months later, Aya noticed something alarming. Sham was approaching her first birthday but her body was too weak, lethargic, and wasting in front of her mother.

Aya immediately brought her to the MECA supported clinic. After screening, we confirmed that Sham was suffering from SAM. Over several months, our team provided her with supplements, vitamins, food parcels and fresh vegetables, supporting her step by step to assist in her recovery. Aya also received support and guidance through the project’s parental sessions to help her care for Sham’s specific needs.

I met Sham twice.

The first time was when our partners held a cooking session supported by MECA to help mothers in preparing tasty yet simple and nutritious recipes from the supplements that we’ve provided. Aya was engaged in the session and was keen to make new recipes for Sham.

Thankfully, a month later, Sham had gotten stronger and her health had improved remarkably.

The second time I met Sham, she was wearing a bright pink dress and was full of life. I remember how she laughed and ran around the room, jumping and moving things as her little legs never stayed still. Aya told me how she and Saeed were overjoyed by Sham’s progress. “She never stops hugging us. She plays all day with her sisters and fills our hearts with pure joy amid this ongoing nightmare.”

After my conversation with them, I felt a sense of achievement and pride. Sham had survived her severe malnutrition and was on her way to being a healthy child. We had saved her together.

I joked with Aya, “Your daughter is a true heroine. She survived death twice. I hope you’ll see her grow into a strong, beautiful woman.”

Aya laughed. And just then, Sham burst through the door, throwing her arms around her mother in a surprise hug.

I smiled.

No Miracle This Time: A Life stolen by Israel

Days later, on 6 May 2025 I heard the news of Israeli airstrikes on a school shelter. It was the same school Aya had mentioned during our last conversation. My hands trembled as I called the clinic, praying for their safety. Praying for a miracle. 

But there was no miracle this time.

Aya, Sham, and Jury (one of Sham’s older sisters) were killed in a massacre by Israeli bombs.

I phoned the family but couldn’t reach Saeed because he was with his only surviving daughter, Judy, at the hospital. Judy’s leg was fractured.
Sham’s aunt, Asmaa, sobbed while telling me how Sham spent five agonizing hours in surgery. Doctors this time said if she had survived, she would have lived with her legs amputated.

Yet she hadn’t survived. 

As Asmaa spoke, my heart sank and shattered into a thousand pieces. I couldn’t bear to imagine her with only half a body. 

After that call, I felt a mix of emotions and was filled with so many questions once again. 

For how long will Israel continue to snatch our choices away? For how long will Israel continue to steal our miracles? Why does the world keep failing children like Sham?

Sham Is Gone. Will the World Do Something?

Sham was born a few weeks after the Israeli genocide began and left us as the genocide continues. I convince myself that maybe she is in a better place where there is no bombing or siege. I console myself that maybe she’s somewhere where she can eat, jump, and hug Aya without fear.

I keep saying this to myself, yet one question haunts me.

Will any politician remember Sham and the 50,000 children Israel has killed and injured in Gaza as they continue to make empty promises about what’s happening in Gaza?

Yet we will never stop, we will continue to do our job one miracle at a time until no one in Gaza has to continue to suffer from Israel’s famine and genocide.

We are doing our part, what are you doing to stop this genocide?