Babies born amid Gaza conflict deaths

'A moment of elation amid tragedy'

By Mo Abbas and Erin McLaughlin

TEL AVIV - It was a moment of elation amid tragedy in December as baby Tala Rouqa was pulled from the rubble unconscious but alive. Days old and desperately thin, Baby Malak didn't even have a name when she was taken to hospital.

Now five months old, the twins are among a generation of Gazan children born into conflict. Their stories are a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of unimaginable hardship.

"We were so happy when Tala was born," said her mother, Abeer Rouqa. "But then the airstrikes started and we had to flee our home. We were terrified for our lives."

The family eventually found refuge in a UN school in Gaza City. But even there, they are not safe. The school has been hit by Israeli airstrikes twice in recent weeks.

"We are living in constant fear," said Abeer. "We don't know when the next airstrike will come. But we are determined to stay together and protect our children."

The twins' story is one of hope and survival. But it is also a reminder of the devastating impact of the conflict on children in Gaza. According to the UN, more than 2,000 Palestinian children have been killed in the conflict since 2008.

"These children are the innocent victims of a senseless war," said UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness. "They deserve to live in peace and security, like all children."