What happened to the young girl captured in a photograph of Gaza detainees

A recent photograph has captured a poignant moment in Gaza, showing a group of men who have been detained by Israeli forces. Among them is a little girl, her dark hair contrasting with the somber scene. The men, stripped down to their underwear, sit or squat in a state of vulnerability, their faces obscured by the BBC to protect their identities. Behind them, a building lies in ruins, a stark reminder of the destruction that has become all too common in the region. The little girl, positioned towards the back of the group, appears to be looking away, perhaps trying to avoid the sight of the soldiers and their weapons. This image, which likely originated from a journalist with strong ties to the Israeli Defense Forces, highlights the grim reality faced by many in Gaza. The men in the photograph look exhausted and fearful, while the little girl’s presence raises numerous questions about her identity and her fate. The photograph was taken about a week ago, during a period marked by significant loss of life and displacement. Many children have perished under the rubble of air strikes or due to a lack of medical care. In response to the image, the BBC Arabic team began a search for the little girl. Due to restrictions on international media in Gaza, the BBC relies on a network of local journalists to gather information. They showed the photograph to people in areas where families had fled, and within 48 hours, they received a message that the girl had been found. Her name is Julia Abu Warda, and she is three years old. When a BBC journalist located her in Gaza City, Julia was with her father, grandfather, and mother, watching a cartoon about singing chickens. The sound of the cartoon was barely audible over the drone buzzing ominously overhead. Julia was surprised to be approached by a stranger, and when her father playfully asked, 'Who are you? ' she responded with a proud, 'Jooliaa. ' Dressed in a peach-colored jumper and jeans, with her hair styled in two buns, Julia appeared physically unharmed, but her expression revealed a sense of wariness. Her father, Mohammed, recounted the harrowing experiences they had endured over the past three weeks. The family had been displaced five times, each time fleeing from air strikes and gunfire. On the day the photograph was taken, they heard a warning from an Israeli drone instructing them to evacuate. They were in the Al-Khalufa district, where the Israeli Defense Forces were advancing against Hamas. Carrying their belongings, they made their way toward the Jabalia refugee camp, but in the chaos, Mohammed and Julia became separated from the rest of their family. The streets were filled with the stench of death, and they witnessed destruction and bodies scattered on the ground. Children in Gaza have become all too familiar with the sight of violence and loss. When they reached an Israeli checkpoint, soldiers ordered the men to strip down to their underwear as part of a search for concealed weapons. Mohammed reported that they were held at the checkpoint for six to seven hours. Although Julia appeared calm in the photograph, her father later revealed that she had been distressed and had cried out for her mother. Fortunately, the family was eventually reunited, and they found solace in each other’s presence. In Gaza City, families are tightly knit, and news travels quickly when relatives arrive from other areas. Julia was comforted by her loved ones, who shared treats like sweets and potato chips with her. However, Mohammed also disclosed the deep trauma that Julia had experienced prior to their flight from Jabalia to Gaza City. Julia had a favorite cousin named Yahya, who was seven years old. They used to play together, but tragically, Yahya was killed in a drone strike just two weeks ago. Mohammed lamented, 'Life used to be normal. She would run and play. ' Now, whenever there is shelling, Julia points and exclaims, 'plane! ' She has learned to associate the sound of drones with danger and fear. According to UNICEF, approximately 14,000 children have reportedly lost their lives in the ongoing conflict. A UNICEF spokesman stated, 'Day after day, children are paying the price for a war they did not start. ' The UN estimates that nearly all children in the Gaza Strip, close to one million, require mental health support. It is challenging to label a child like Julia as lucky, given the trauma she has endured and the uncertainty of her future. However, her family is committed to doing everything possible to protect her amidst the chaos of air strikes, gun battles, hunger, and disease. The story of Julia Abu Warda serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the impact of war on innocent lives.