In the besieged streets of Gaza, under the watchful eyes of Israeli drones, 15-year-old Ahmed Qarqaz drags a heavy cart filled with jerry cans of drinking water, struggling to support his family in the harsh conditions of war. Along the narrow path between Gaza City and the devastated Jabalia area, Ahmed’s backbreaking task has become a daily necessity as he tries to make ends meet.

Forced out of the classroom and into the rubble-strewn streets, Ahmed's life reflects the brutal reality faced by many children in Gaza, who are deprived of education and instead pushed into hazardous labor. "I wake up before dawn, and by the time the night falls, I am exhausted," Ahmed shared. "We spend the entire day selling water to people who have none, risking our lives just to help others."

The situation is dire. Ahmed, small and frail, is not yet strong enough for the heavy labor he endures daily. Despite the overwhelming physical toll, he perseveres alongside his father, who also faces the dangers of Israeli surveillance drones targeting civilians in besieged areas. "Our cart has been hit three times while delivering water," Ahmed recalled, a testament to the constant threat to their lives as they carry out this vital work.

The relentless siege has caused water scarcity, making the task of fetching and selling water an essential service but also a dangerous necessity. "Water is scarce and expensive. We risk everything just to help people who are struggling too," Ahmed said. His only hope is for an end to the war, a return to his studies, and for his family to escape the cycle of hardship.

The devastating impact on Gaza's children is not limited to their daily struggles. According to UNICEF, over 14,000 children have died since the conflict began, with thousands more injured, traumatized, and forced into labor. Children like Ahmed are paying the highest price, their futures uncertain, as they face unimaginable challenges in a war-ravaged land.