Zakaria, an 11-year-old boy from Gaza, estimates that he has witnessed thousands of bodies since the war began. Unlike most children his age, who would typically be in a classroom, Zakaria volunteers at al-Aqsa Hospital, one of the few functioning hospitals in Gaza. He assists with transporting patients, many of whom are victims of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
As ambulances constantly bring in new casualties to the hospital in Deir al-Balah, Zakaria clears a path for the injured, rushes them to treatment, and sometimes carries children into the emergency room. Tragically, some of his friends have died during the conflict, and Zakaria has witnessed horrific scenes, including a young boy burning to death after an Israeli strike. He claims to have seen at least 5,000 bodies with his own eyes.
Zakaria is one of the children featured in a BBC documentary called Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone. The film, directed by Yousef Hammash and a colleague from London, documents the daily lives of Gazan children and families trying to survive the brutal conflict. The filmmakers, unable to enter Gaza due to restrictions, worked with local cameramen to capture footage, conducting remote communications for interviews and guidance.
The documentary, filmed over nine months, follows three children and a young woman with a newborn. It reveals the ongoing struggles, as well as the resilience of Gaza’s people amidst overwhelming adversity. The film also explores the plight of medics working tirelessly to save lives at the al-Aqsa Hospital, described as the only operational hospital in central Gaza as of January 2024.
The film sheds light on the toll the war has taken on Gaza, where more than 48,000 people have died since Israel’s offensive began in response to Hamas’s October 7th attacks. Despite the zone being marked as a “humanitarian zone,” it was repeatedly struck, raising concerns about the safety of civilians.
The children featured in the film, like 13-year-old Abdullah, 10-year-old Renad, and 24-year-old Rana, each demonstrate unique efforts to survive and maintain normalcy in the face of war. Renad, for instance, runs a TikTok cooking show, and Abdullah, who speaks fluent English, continues to pursue education despite the war.
Everyone at the hospital knows Zakaria. Though he’s only a child and not a trained medic, he is always nearby, waiting for a chance to help. In exchange, he hopes for some food or money. Sometimes he assists local journalists by carrying equipment, or he helps with stretchers, transporting injured or dying patients. During quiet moments, he cleans the blood and dirt from ambulances.
Zakaria doesn’t attend school. He’s the only one in his family earning any money, but he doesn’t stay with them. He says there is barely enough food or water at home, so instead, he lives at the hospital, sleeping wherever he can—sometimes in the CT scan room, other times in the journalists’ tent or the back of an ambulance. Many nights, he falls asleep hungry.
Despite the hospital staff’s best efforts to keep him away from the chaos, Zakaria remains close to the action, helping wherever possible. He looks up to the paramedics, eager to be part of their team. One paramedic, Said, has taken Zakaria under his wing. However, when Said treats him like a child, Zakaria gets upset.
The hospital staff recognizes Zakaria’s dedication and teaches him essential skills, like how to administer an IV drip. As a sign of appreciation, they even make him a small set of blue scrubs, which Zakaria wears with great pride.
Said tries to give Zakaria a sense of normal childhood, and they take a trip to the beach together. Under the shade of a tree, Zakaria enjoys the shawarma Said has bought for him, claiming it’s perfect. Said jokes that it’s the only time Zakaria ever “shuts up.”
However, Said worries that Zakaria has seen so much death and destruction that he may no longer relate to children his age. Zakaria, meanwhile, is already looking beyond childhood.
“I want to be a paramedic,” he says. “But first I need to get out of here.”
As told to George Sandeman.
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Zakaria’s Role at the Hospital: 11-year-old Zakaria volunteers at al-Aqsa Hospital in Gaza, helping with stretchers, cleaning ambulances, and assisting medics despite not being a trained professional.
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Living Conditions: Zakaria doesn’t attend school and is the only one in his family earning money. He lives at the hospital due to a lack of food and water at home, often sleeping in various places like the CT scan room, the journalists’ tent, or the back of an ambulance.
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Connection with the Paramedics: Zakaria idolizes the paramedics and wants to be considered part of the team. Said, a paramedic, takes Zakaria under his wing and teaches him basic medical skills, like giving an IV drip. The hospital staff makes him a miniature set of blue scrubs, which Zakaria proudly wears.
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Moments of Normalcy: Despite the chaos, Zakaria is given moments of childhood, like a trip to the beach with Said, where they share a meal together.
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Emotional Impact: Said worries Zakaria’s exposure to death and violence will hinder his ability to connect with children his age. Zakaria, on the other hand, expresses his desire to become a paramedic, hoping to eventually escape the conflict.
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Zakaria’s Ambition: His long-term goal is to be a paramedic, though he acknowledges that he first needs to get out of Gaza.
The story of Zakaria highlights the devastating impact of war on children and the loss of innocence in conflict zones like Gaza. Despite his age, Zakaria takes on adult responsibilities, helping at the hospital and even learning medical skills. His experience showcases the resilience and resourcefulness of children forced to grow up too soon due to war. However, it also raises concerns about the psychological toll of witnessing extreme violence and death at such a young age.
Zakaria’s desire to become a paramedic reflects a deep sense of responsibility and a need for purpose in a world shaped by trauma. Yet, his struggle to maintain a semblance of childhood and the emotional scars he carries underscore the long-term damage such experiences inflict on children. His story is a poignant reminder of the importance of providing both immediate humanitarian aid and long-term support to ensure that children like Zakaria can heal, grow, and regain a sense of hope for the future.