It was a new day in a new year, supposed to be full of new dreams.

5-year-old Abdel Rahman – son of Nezar Rayyan – could hardly wait for the remaining five months of his preschool to be over. He wanted to start going to school to be a distinctive pupil like all his elder brothers.

But on that first day of the year 2009, Israeli air force bombed the whole neighborhood including his home. The F-16 fighter planes launched their missiles. No one was left alive after that air raid. All the people in this house died along with their dreams.

It was always a special time when all the young relatives; Halima, Reem, Abdel Rahman and Ibrahim, walked together in the early morning on their way to their preschool "El Kholafaa’ El Rashdeen". The whole family and neighborhood were very pleased with the group.

Ibrahim’s mother said “Today, Ibrahim is walking alone to preschool. He was so used to with the company of Abdel Rahman, Reem and Halima. I can feel how much he is suffering from such pain and loss. Sufficient unto us is God. The Israeli hostility killed them in their first tiny steps in life.”

Ibrahim asked his mother daily about Abdel Rahman. “Was he martyred? When will I visit him? When I visit his grave, I will talk to him.”

Ibrahim’s mother continued “My aunt, Nawal [Abdel Rahman’s mother], loved Abdel Rahman so much. To her, Abdel Rahman was all she had in the world.”

Abdel Rahman’s mother has always wished that he would be well educated like his father. She did her best to help him reach that goal. She cared about his education so much, even though he hadn’t started school yet. She chose the best preschool in Jabaliya camp for him.

Abdel Rahman’s brother, Belal, said “My mother was so proud of him, as he was young and faithful. She always mentioned how much Abdel Rahman is merciful, tender, and kind.”

Even when she had her second child Asaad, Abdel Rahman remained on top. She was telling everybody that she hopes Abdel Rahman would be like his father.

Abdel Rahman was very often sitting with his father, whispering about his dreams in the future “When I grow up, I will be a great warrior. I will do many things to fight against the Israeli occupation”.

He was handling his nephews, who were all in his age, as if he is responsible for them. The daughter of his brother Belal said “My Uncle Abdel Rahman always cared for us, played with us, and fed us from his own sweets.”