Palestinian Holocaust Museum
 

Name of Victim: ‘Aisha Nizar Rayan

Age: 3 years old.
Sex: Female
Date of Death: January 1, 2009
Place of Death: Her home in Jabaliya camp, northern Gaza Strip
Cause of Death: A missile of an Israeli F16 jet fighter
Details of the last hours:

Driven by her deep fear and terror because of the brutal Israeli war against Gaza, Young ‘Aisha sought refuge in her mother’s arms. She was with her mother watching her siblings playing on the roof of the house when an Israeli F16 jets heavily bombed their home turning it into a heap of rubble. As a result, all her family members were killed including the three-year old ‘Aisha. The Israeli F16 jets targeted her small body while she was searching for a sense of safety in her mother's arms. The three-year old ‘Aisha rested in peace beside her parents.

Whenever ‘Aishah’s father came home after a long and tiring day seeking some rest in his four-floor home where his four wives were living, `Aisha was the first one to open the door to hug him. So, whenever her mother missed her, she knew where to find her; beside her father.

The loving father dearly cared for his little angel. He was the one who named her after the prophet’s wife, ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). He used to call her by her nickname “Sho-Sho”. She was so, close to him, so she was his dearest child. He always saw her as the most beautiful daughter he has ever had. He used to say:” ‘Aisha was so little yet really intelligent and funny. It was not hard for anyone to notice her big admiration and deep love for her older brothers. She would come and say hello to us all the time. May Allah rest her innocent soul in peace.”

Her brother's wife, Um Ibrahim, said: "‘Aisha was our beautiful flower. She always played and had fun with her brothers, nephews and neighbors. One could see her tenderly holding her doll and playing here and there.” She added: "I still remember dear ‘Aisha when she asked one of us to give her a push on the swing and she would happily coo and hum like she'd been swinging all her life” Her brother, Belal said: "‘Aisha was a beautiful child. She loved playing with everybody. We used to arouse her jealousy of her brother As‘ad, and we would laugh at her. However, I never saw her so happy as she was in her father’s lap as a queen sitting on her throne”.

Her twelve-year old sister, Ayah, enjoyed ‘Aisha’s deep and great love. She could not stand a moment away from her elder sister. Her mother used to say that ‘Aisha needed Ayah even more than Ayah needed her. Ayah took good care of her young siblings, especially As‘ad and ‘Aisha. She used to feed them, quench their thirst, and change their diapers.

Belal’s little child, “Lolo”, misses her aunt, ‘Aisha, a lot. Although she had moved out with her parents to a rented house, the memory of the old family house remained alive in her heart. She always kept looking for her loving aunt to come and play with her. Getting tired of hearing her young girl’s unanswered question: "Where is Sho-Sho, Mom?", the mother answered: "She is in Paradise, darling”

 
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