The Gaza orphanage director: I carried a small boy with cerebral palsy to safety – but he died soon after

Bombing forced Hazem Rahma to flee Gaza City with the children in his care. But the attacks continue – and there are more and more children to look after

Hazem Rahma, 39, is a director at Mubarrat Al Rehmat orphanage in Gaza City.

What was your life like before 7 October?
I’m from Rimal, in Gaza City. My wife and I have worked at the orphanage since 2010. Before the war, we had 22 children. Most of them have no traceable family and many are disabled. They usually come to us at birth from hospitals because their families can’t afford to take care of them. Five of our wards are girls who are over 18, but since they have no families they stay with us.