In the midst of tragedy, a moment of elation swept through Rafah in December. Baby Tala Rouqah was miraculously rescued from the rubble after an airstrike destroyed her family’s home, where they sought refuge from the war. Unconscious but alive, she was swiftly carried to a nearby hospital by a heroic neighbor. This scene, captured by NBC News, filled rescuers with hope.
However, this glimmer of hope was short-lived. Eighteen agonizing days later, Tala tragically succumbed to her injuries, plunging her grieving father, Ahmad Rouqa, into a new depth of despair. While the exact cause of her death remains unclear, Tala’s injuries were still being treated at the time.
Tala’s passing came just days before her first birthday. Burned and with a broken leg, she was scheduled for surgery to address her injuries. However, doctors had advised waiting until she turned one to ensure her safety during the operation.
Ahmad Rouqa and his family had initially fled Gaza City when Israel launched its ground offensive. They were promised relative safety in the south, but when bombs started falling on Khan Younis, they sought refuge in Rafah near the Egyptian border. Sadly, nowhere felt safe for them.
Tragically, this war shattered Rouqa’s family and their once joyful lives. They were a family that cherished life, spending quality time together at the beach and on picnics. Rouqa described his children as his hope, and he longed to hear them call him “baba.”
Now, after more than 100 days of violence, the toll on Gaza is devastating. Thousands have lost their lives, and over 85% of the population has been displaced. The remaining people face a worsening humanitarian crisis with limited access to basic necessities like food, water, and medicine.
Rouqa hopes for an end to this violence, understanding firsthand the immeasurable loss it brings. In a gut-wrenching video, he tearfully opens the shroud covering Tala’s lifeless body before her burial, unable to contain his grief. Tala’s infectious smile in the last photo taken of her serves as a painful reminder of the joy she brought to Rouqa’s life.
Tala’s death has shattered her father’s world. He mourns not only her, but also the loss of her siblings and mother. Holding onto her memory, Rouqa finds solace knowing that she is now in God’s hands.