“Where Is My Dad?” Little Abood From Gaza Keeps Asking After Israel Killed His Father

The Question No Child Should Ask

Every night since May 2024, four-year-old Abood Mhjez from Gaza City has been asking the same heart-wrenching question: “Where is my dad?” His father, Ahmad Mhjez, was killed during an Israeli airstrike that struck their home amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

A Family Torn Apart

Abood’s mother, Samah, tries to comfort her son, but the silence that follows his question is unbearable. Their home, once full of laughter, now bears the marks of destruction. Samah recalls:

"He used to hold Abood every evening after work, playing with him on the balcony."

Ahmad had been the family’s sole provider, working as a mechanic in Gaza City. The airstrike that took his life also destroyed their modest home, leaving Samah and Abood displaced and dependent on humanitarian aid.

Life in the Ruins

Displaced families like Abood’s now live in overcrowded shelters. Access to clean water, food, and medical care remains extremely limited. Even small children like Abood are bearing the invisible scars of war.

Psychologists working with displaced families say that many children exhibit symptoms of trauma: sudden panic, sleeplessness, and withdrawal. For Abood, the question “Where is my dad?” has become a ritual that no adult can answer.

The Human Cost of Conflict

According to local health officials, thousands of civilians—including many children—have died in Gaza since the escalation began. Each name reflects a shattered family and a story like Abood’s that continues to unfold in grief.

Humanitarian workers urge for an end to hostilities and the opening of more aid routes, stressing that the situation is a growing moral catastrophe.

Author’s summary: The story of little Abood captures the enduring heartbreak of families in Gaza, symbolizing how war leaves even the youngest searching for answers to unimaginable loss.

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Clarion India Clarion India — 2025-11-30

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