– Yusra Firdaus
“I kissed her, but she wouldn’t wake up.” These heart-breaking words encapsulate the story of Khaled Nabhan, a grandfather from Gaza, and his three-year-old granddaughter, Reem. For Khaled, Reem was not just a child but the light of his life, his loyal companion who mimicked his prayers, joined him during coffee time, and waved goodbye from their home in Deir al-Balah as he left for walks.
Their world, however, was one of devastation. Despite the siege traumatising Reem, Khaled shielded her from the horrors of relentless bombing. But on November 28, 2023, tragedy struck. Israeli airstrikes targeting the Al-Nuseirat Refugee Camp also demolished their home, claiming Reem’s life while she lay asleep. Khaled returned to find her lifeless body and, in his despair, lifted her up before the cameras, kissing her forehead.
“She was the soul of my soul,” Khaled wept. His grief became a global symbol, encapsulating the innocent suffering of Gaza’s children. Khaled’s mourning presence challenged stereotypes. No longer was he a faceless “other”; he became the grieving grandfather, a victim of aggression.
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The world mourned with him, as his heartfelt words and viral images turned into a rallying cry. Khaled’s sorrow resonated universally, making him a poignant emblem of Gaza’s pain and humanity. Months later, as he sifted through the rubble, he found one of Reem’s dolls. Holding it tenderly, he kissed its face and reminisced, “I used to kiss her cheeks and nose, and she would giggle.” His love for Reem, even in death, epitomised a deep, tender bond now severed.
Khaled’s grief transformed how the world viewed Palestinian men and Muslim identity. Gentle yet steadfast, pious yet vulnerable, he embodied a humanity often overlooked. Through him, the world glimpsed the dignity and resilience of Gazans amid annihilation.
But death struck again on December 16, 2024, claiming Khaled’s life in another Israeli attack. His limp body joined Reem’s in martyrdom, while his legacy continued to inspire global mourning. Over the course of Gaza’s ongoing tragedy, Khaled and Reem became symbols of a people’s unyielding humanity, touching hearts across the world.
