Consider This from NPR: "Never Give Up - One Gaza Boy's Story Trying to Survive in Gaza"
Release Date: March 16, 2025
In this poignant episode of NPR's "Consider This," host Rob Schmitz delves deep into the harrowing realities faced by children in Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Focusing on the story of Nimr Saadi Al Nimr, an 11-year-old boy who has endured unimaginable suffering, the episode paints a vivid picture of resilience and the profound impacts of war on the youngest members of society.
Introduction: The Toll on Gaza's Children
Rob Schmitz opens the episode by highlighting the devastating statistics of the conflict's impact on children. Citing United Nations estimates, he states:
"Nearly 40,000. That's the United Nations estimate for the number of children who have been killed or injured since Israel began its war with Hamas some 18 months ago." (00:00)
This alarming figure sets the stage for the personal stories that follow, emphasizing the human cost behind the numbers.
Witnessing the Aftermath: Insights from a Pediatrician
The narrative introduces Dr. Seema Jelani, a pediatrician who volunteered in Gaza's emergency rooms. Through her voice memos captured in late 2023, Dr. Jelani provides a frontline perspective:
"I've seen a lot and I never compare conflicts, but that's got to be the most nightmarish thing I've ever seen and the most one of the most inhumane and cruel things I'll ever see." (00:11)
Describing the scene of an 11-year-old girl severely burned in an explosion, she poignantly captures the depth of suffering:
"To look at her was an infinite waterfall of pain coming out from her. It's the stuff of nightmares." (00:39)
Dr. Jelani reflects on her role as a pediatrician in a war zone, revealing the unexpected magnitude of child casualties:
"On one day in our code room, in our code resuscitation room, out of our five patients, four were children. And I'm very sad and deeply disturbed to say that I was very useful as a pediatrician in a war zone. And that should never be the case." (00:57)
Her insights underscore the overwhelming burden placed on healthcare professionals in conflict areas and the tragic reversal of expectations regarding victims.
Nimr's Journey: Surviving Against the Odds
Transitioning to a more personal narrative, Rob Schmitz recounts the story of Nimr Saadi Al Nimr, an 11-year-old boy who was severely injured by the Israeli military while collecting food. Dropped by parachute outside Gaza City, Nimr was taken to Israel, where doctors performed life-saving surgeries before returning him to the Rafah refugee camp.
A year later, NPR's Gaza producer Anas Bhabha reconnects with Nimr, now 12, who continues to battle the physical and emotional scars of war:
"Nimr now he's in Al Barage camp, central Gaza at his grandmother's house and has finally reunited with his mother and his family. He's suffering. He wears a knee brace and drags his right leg, unable to control it. After nerve damage, he cannot stand for long periods. But he's alive and that's a miracle by itself." (04:50)
Despite multiple surgeries to remove bullets from his body, Nimr experiences constant pain:
"After he had a surgical procedure to deaden his nerve endings, he still cannot run. He cannot play soccer or even walk very far... it often makes him cry." (05:12)
Nimr's resilience is evident as he recounts surviving an airstrike at a field hospital and enduring twelve relocations to evade missile attacks:
"Despite his injuries, Nimr endured the horrors of being trapped in a field hospital in Rafah... he spent a month under the immense danger... they moved to a house where an Israeli hostage extract mission took place, killing 250 persons, just to extract three Israeli hostages." (06:23)
Reuniting with Family: A Bittersweet Victory
The emotional reunion between Nimr and his family is a powerful moment in the episode. After a grueling eight-mile walk carried on his uncle's ankle, Nimr finally meets his mother, father, and siblings:
"The joy he felt when he saw his mother, father and family again was beyond words. He says everyone was crying and he hugged his mother tightly, not letting go. His entire extended family was there too." (08:33)
However, the aftermath of media exposure leads to unexpected consequences. Nimr's family faces a devastating loss when their house is bombed:
"The family blamed Nimr and his mother because Nimr took to the news. We didn't have any confirmation that that was the purpose of the target... even the families themselves turn around on each other because everyone wants to live." (09:05)
This tragic turn highlights the perilous environment in Gaza, where media interactions can inadvertently put families at risk.
The Shadow of Media and Perceived Threats
The episode delves into the complex relationship between journalism and safety in conflict zones. Nimr expresses the community's growing fear of media engagement:
"We didn't have any confirmation that that was the purpose of the target... So every single person in Gaza was always being aware about his own life." (10:10)
With over 160 journalists killed during the war, the perception that media presence equates to tangible threats is pervasive:
"Even talking to the media outlets here in Gaza started to be spreading between people here that, no, I don't want to be photographed. I don't want to like saying any word outside to the media because I may just like put myself in danger." (11:16)
This fear complicates efforts to document and report the realities on the ground, as trust erodes amidst violence and suspicion.
Reflections on the Future: A Bleak Outlook
As the episode concludes, Nimr shares his somber perspective on the future:
"The children like Nimr and Nimr himself are going to face a future that's totally dark... the new generation that's going to come here that also wants revenge and not believing in peace as they should be." (13:07)
His sentiments encapsulate the cyclical nature of violence and the profound psychological scars inflicted on the youth of Gaza.
Nimr's longing for normalcy is palpable as he speaks about his disrupted education and missed social interactions:
"I miss school so much. I miss my friends. I miss learning. I miss writing. I just want to see my friends again and play with them again. But the war continues. What can we do?" (13:31)
Conclusion: The Human Cost of Conflict
Through Nimr's story, NPR's "Consider This" episode sheds light on the personal tragedies woven into the larger tapestry of war. From lost education and shattered families to the psychological toll on young minds, the narrative serves as a stark reminder of the enduring impact of conflict on civilians, especially children. The episode calls listeners to reflect on the resilience of individuals like Nimr and the urgent need for pathways to peace and recovery in war-torn regions.
Produced by: Kira Wakim, Erica Ryan, and Anas Bhabha
Edited by: Adam Rainey, James Heider, and Courtney Dorney
Executive Producer: Sammy Yeniken
For more stories like Nimr's and to support independent journalism, visit plus.npr.org/considerthis.