Sama Ramez Riad Al Ajuz

Location Gaza

Two-year-old Sama from the Al Shaaf area in Gaza City was a distinct and beloved child. “She slept in her parents’ room and would wake up at the ‘Suhor’ time to play Legos,” said her mother.

On 20 July 2014 at night, Israeli forces issued an evacuation order for the population in the area where Sama lived. The Israeli bombardment then intensified. The whole family went down to the ground floor to seek shelter. Sama's aunt arrived also seeking safety. The Israeli shells started to hit the walls of the house. “Those moments were the worst,” said Sama’s mother.

Sama’s father went out to get a car to bring his family away and some family members followed him. Sama and her brother stayed back in the house. Then a shell hit the house and they were seriously injured. With difficulties, Sama was taken to the hospital and underwent surgery. She was then moved to the intensive care unit. And she was then transferred to a Jordanian hospital to get a better medical care. The shrapnel injuries affected her ears, eyes, and her balance. She died on 18 September 2014 at the age of two.