Gaza's youngest influencer, 11, among children killed by Israeli strikes
Eleven-year-old Yaqeen Hammad, Gaza's youngest influencer, is among the dozens of children killed by Israel in recent strikes, as its forces intensify their military offensive across the Palestinian territory.
Known for her bright smile and volunteering efforts, Yaqeen was killed on Friday night after Israeli forces shelled the al-Baraka area of Deir al-Balah in northern Gaza, amid intense fighting in the region.
Yaqeen and her older brother, Mohamed Hammad, delivered food, toys and clothing to displaced families, Al Jazeera has reported.
She was also Gaza's youngest influencer, offering practical survival tips for daily life under bombardment, such as advice on how to cook with improvised methods when there was no gas.
In one social media post, Yaqeen wrote: 'I try to bring a bit of joy to the other children so that they can forget the war.' She played an active role in the Ouena collective, a Gaza-based non-profit organisation dedicated to humanitarian relief.
She often accompanied her older brother, Mohamed, a humanitarian worker, and together they distributed aid – food, toys and clothing. They often visited camps and makeshift shelters for displaced families. In each place they went, she tried to spread cheer and comfort to the children.
She refused to give in to the war, dancing, smiling and handing out ice-creams and praying with other children.
When news of her death spread online, there was an outpouring of messages of grief and tributes from activists, followers and journalists.
Mahmoud Bassam, a photojournalist in Gaza, said: 'Her body may be gone, but her impact remains a beacon of humanity.' 'Instead of being at school and enjoying her childhood, another tribute read on X, she was active on Instagram and participating in campaigns to help others in Gaza. No words. Absolutely no words.'
Israel has intensified its air campaign in Gaza in recent days. Its airstrikes killed at least 52 people on Monday, including 31 in a school turned shelter that was struck as people slept, igniting their belongings, according to local health officials.
On Sunday, Israeli attacks killed at least 38 people, health officials said, bringing the death toll to more than 100 over the weekend.
Yaqeen died during the same series of strikes across the territory that killed nine of a paediatrician's 10 children sparking outrage within the international community.
Read More
Occupied Territories Bill: Ireland set to become first EU country to curb trade with Israel
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Boulder attacker Mohamed Sabry Soliman planned ‘to kill them all', police say
A man accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado who were calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, injuring 12 of them, had planned to kill them all but apparently had second thoughts, authorities said.
Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Irish Independent
27 killed in third Israeli attack on Palestinians near aid centre
Military says it fired shots to drive away suspects after people moved into closed military zone ©Associated Press Israeli forces fired on people as they headed toward an aid distribution site in Gaza yesterday, killing at least 27, Palestinian health officials and witnesses said, in the third such shooting in three days. The army said it fired 'near a few individual suspects' who left the designated route, approached its forces and ignored warning shots.
Irish Independent
8 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Tulisa to recount drugs trial in new memoir detailing her career highs and lows
The pop singer, 36, who found fame in hip-hop trio N-Dubz, was arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs in 2013, but the charges were later dismissed after prosecution witness, 'fake sheikh' journalist Mazher Mahmood, was found guilty of tampering with evidence in the trial. The book, titled Judgement, has been written using journals that Contostavlos wrote in amid the media storm following the sting operation that saw Mahmood pose as a wealthy film producer called Samir Khan. In an Instagram video on Tuesday, Contostavlos said: '90pc of this no one has ever known. 'The story of my year in 2013 has been spoken about many times, but it has never been told in the way that it's told in my new book. 'This is living all the juiciest moments from behind the scenes. This book will have you crying one moment, on the edge of your seat the next.' She added: 'I have given absolutely all of myself in this book, it's Sex And The City on a drugs charge.' She wrote in the caption: 'As you all know, I've been through the highs and some unimaginable lows in my career. 'For the first time, I'm sharing everything. The truth, the pain, the fallout, and the strength I discovered when my world fell apart.' The singer had been accused of arranging for Mahmood to be sold more than £800 worth of cocaine by one of her contacts following an elaborate sting for The Sun On Sunday in 2013. During a meeting at a hotel in London, Mahmood posed as a film producer and plied Contostavlos with alcohol as they discussed an acting role alongside Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio. Following the collapse of the trial Contostavlos said 'I have never dealt drugs and never been involved in taking or dealing cocaine' in a statement where she also accused Mahmood of a 'horrific and disgusting entrapment'. In 2016, Mahmood was jailed for tampering with evidence in the collapsed drugs trial when the 'King of the Sting' and his driver Alan Smith, were found guilty of plotting to pervert the course of justice. Publishing director, Ciara Lloyd, who has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to the book, said: 'When I read Tulisa's proposal, I knew instantly that I wanted to publish her. 'I remember the infamous 'Fake Sheikh' trial well and how unfairly Tulisa was treated, a story that highlighted the bias and misogyny in the press, and in our society. 'So, to give a voice to Tulisa and her story as well as showcase her phenomenal talent as a writer is a real privilege. 'This is the perfect redemption story for the original Female Boss, and I'm so proud to be publishing her at Blink.' Contostavlos is most known for singing in hip-hop group N-Dubz who had hits with songs including I Need You, Girls and Number 1, featuring Tinchy Stryder. In 2011, she became a judge on popular reality singing series The X Factor and a year later she released her debut solo album, The Female Boss. She also released the book, Honest: My Story So Far: The Official Autobiography, in 2012, which detailed her life growing up on a council estate in London, to making music with N-Dubz, and helping girl group Little Mix win The X Factor in 2011. The singer from Camden most recently appeared on the 2024 season of I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. Judgement will publish in hardback, ebook and audio in August 2025 from Blink Publishing.
