Khaled Nabhan and his granddaughter Reem
In a car park in Gaza, the gray-bearded man cradles his 3-year-old granddaughter. Kissing her eyes and rubbing his cheek against hers, he whispers that she was his “Ruh al-ruh” (soul of my soul).
Then he tucks Reem into her shroud, alongside the bodies of the others killed by the Israeli strikes.
Last week, 13 months after the deaths of Reem and his 5-year-old grandson Tarek, Khaled Nabhan — “Abu Diaa” — joined them, killed in an Israeli bombardment of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
With his peaceful surrender to Allah’s will, the 54-year-old grandfather had become a symbol of Gaza’s profound suffering, a representative of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians also succumbing in a final defiance of Israeli aggression.
Humanity Amid Adversity
Just after he was filmed in the last embrace of Reem, he told Anadolu News Agency:
She is my darling. My heart is broken. I sleep and wake up and my eyes are full of tears.
We lived in the same house with Reem. I used to play games with her every day. I wouldn’t just call her “darling”. I would call her “my heart, my two eyes”. I miss her very much.
In the following days, there were more videos of Khaled as, while grappling with his devastating loss, while dedicating himself to helping those in need. His response was not one of retreat or bitterness but of selflessness. For the next 13 months, he embodied humanity amid adversity.
He concentrated on comforting others, even offering solace to those who called from around the world to extend their condolences. When they lamented their inability to do anything to end the bloodshed, he urged them to pray for Gaza.
“There is nothing more precious than your prayers….Pray for Allah to be with us,” he would say.
He visited his elderly mother and many other senior citizens, often bringing them flowers or gifts. In one viral video, he fed a dozen or so cats caught in the bombing. It was a common occurrence: finding Nabhan with his cat food, they would flock around him.
Soon Nabhan was receiving aid to give to child victims of the attacks. In a poignant moment, he told a young girl after an amputation that she would be reunited with her leg one day.
Nabhan’s son Diaa, 29, told Al Jazeera how his father continued to work as a laborer whenever he could find employment, despite being hungry and malnourished.
“He worked tirelessly, scraping by to provide for us,” Diaa recalled. “But you’d never have known how much he suffered during the war on Gaza. He went without food to ensure we had enough to eat.”
A Symbol of Resilence
Whether it was offering food, shelter, or simply a listening ear to his neighbors, Khaled became a symbol of resilience. He reminded the world that even in moments of immense personal tragedy, it is possible to rise above and serve others. His tireless work transcended borders, bringing recognition of Gaza across the globe.
Khaled’s message was clear: behind every statistic, every news headline lies a human story – a family, a dream, a life. He became the voice of the voiceless who were unheard. Through his quiet strength and dignified character, he managed to humanize the Palestinian experience, sharing the stories of ordinary people whose lives had been irrevocably altered by conflict.
Khaled did not resort to anger or hatred. Instead, he told these stories with grace and dignity, touching hearts far and wide. His work and words resonated deeply, cutting through the noise of political discourse, as videos and testimonies captured his kindness, humility, and deep commitment to his community. His sincerity was impossible to ignore.
What set Khaled apart was not only his actions but also his character. He was not a politician, nor did he seek recognition. He was simply a grandfather, a neighbor, and a friend who chose to carry forward the memory of his grandchildren by helping others as a God-loving man. In doing so, he became a symbol of hope — a reminder that even in suffering, there is strength, and within grief, there is love.
Legacy
Khaled’s legacy will echo for years to come. His ability to humanize the Palestinian cause through personal stories, his unwavering dedication to his people, and his infectious message of kindness will continue to inspire generations. He demonstrated that while injustice and loss may seem overwhelming, the most powerful resistance lies in holding onto our humanity.
As we reflect on Khaled Nabhan’s journey, we honor not just his life but the countless lives he represented – those who have endured, those who continue to fight for justice, and those whose stories remain untold. His message remains timeless: in a world too often divided by conflict, it is our compassion and shared humanity that will ultimately heal and unite us.
Khaled Nabhan may have been one man, but his impact was immeasurable. Through his actions, he won the hearts and minds of the world. He will live on as a testament to the enduring power of love, resilience, and hope.
The struggle for justice, dignity, and humanity will continue.
That is the least we can do to honor Khaled Nabhan, “the soul of our souls”.
