Israel kills Gaza's 'youngest influencer', 11, in airstrike

Yaqueen Hammad was killed in an airstrike in Deir al-Balah (Picture: Jam Press)

An 11-year-old child who became known as Gaza‘s ‘youngest influencer’ was killed in an Israeli airstrike this weekend.

Yaqeen Hammad,who had 106,000 followers on her Instagram,was killed Friday night alongside dozens of other children in Deir al-Balah,a Palestinian city in the central Gaza Strip.

Local press reported that emergency crews called the scene of the strike ‘indescribably painful’.

Yaqeen became popular for her volunteering efforts and her infectious positivity.

She and her older brother,Mohamed Hammad,often worked together to deliver food,toys,and clothing to families in the destroyed enclave.

The young girl often shared what she was up to online and gave advice on how to handle daily life while under bombardment.

She posted throughout the war,while under bombardment (Picture: Jam Press)

Yaqeen and Mohamed,a humanitarian worker,regularly visited camps and makeshift shelters to spread cheer and comfort other children.

In a video shared three weeks ago,Yaqeen was seen handing out ice cream to younger children.

Her death has shocked the world. British writer and politician Kamel Hawwash expressed his heartbreak towards the loss of Yaqeen.

He said: ‘Israel killed this beautiful child Yaqeen Hammad in its terrorist operation today in Deir al-Balah,among others. She did some great humanitarian work supporting others.’

Yaqueen’s final post online was shared on May 16. In it,she,Mohamed and other workers handed out fruit to adults and children.

Yaqeen’s followers have shared their heartbreak over her passing.

Her death has sparked an outpouring of grief and anger (Picture: Jam Press)

One wrote: ‘I can’t imagine Gaza without you. May your soul rest in peace,sweetheart. Heaven is more beautiful.’

‘My beautiful,big smile,kind little soul. Surely,we count you among the martyrs and friends. May your soul rest in peace,’ another added.

Since Israel launched their ‘military campaign’ in Gaza in response to Hamas’ cross-border attack on October 7,2023,which killed over 1,000,at least 53,977 people have been killed in Gaza.

In the last ten weeks,an additional 3,822 have been killed in Palestine.

Israel has intensified its air campaign in Gaza in recent days. Yesterday,at least 52 people were killed,including 31 in a school turned shelter that was struck as people slept,sparking a major fire which killed many inside.

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