Gaza Mother's Triple Birth Ordeal: Selling Jewellery Wasn't Enough
Lying in the sonographer's chair, I heard a single heartbeat. Then came another one. And another one. Three distinct heartbeats echoing simultaneously. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The initial shock made me laugh nervously, but that laughter quickly turned to tears of overwhelming fear. Yet somewhere deep within, I felt this was a precious, miraculous gift from God for my husband and me.
This is how I discovered I was expecting triplets in October 2024, during one of the most dangerous periods in Gaza's history. Now, having brought my three babies into this world, I want to share my experience of giving birth to triplets in what has become one of the most perilous places on Earth to be pregnant.
Existing Family Challenges and Medical Warnings
Before this unexpected pregnancy, I already had two children. My seven-year-old daughter Almal, and my two-year-old son Ahmed, who lives with cerebral palsy and a spinal cord severance. After Ahmed's birth, my doctor strongly advised against having more children, given my history of three previous miscarriages.
Then the war escalated dramatically in October 2023, and for over two years since, we have endured constant aerial bombardment. Our family has been forcibly displaced three separate times by relentless Israeli bombing and evacuation orders, never knowing when we might have to abandon our home again.
The Terrifying Reality of Pregnancy During War
When I unexpectedly fell pregnant in September 2024, fear became my constant companion. After that first ultrasound revealed three heartbeats, there were nights I went to sleep crying, uncertain whether my triplets would still be alive by morning.
My anxiety wasn't unfounded. Two of my cousins had suffered miscarriages this year alone, with one losing her baby in the eighth month of pregnancy. I became convinced I would be next.
I lived every single day on edge, running to shelters with my growing belly while explosions echoed around us. Basic medical care became nearly impossible to access. Medicines were scarce, regular check-ups were unavailable, and the constant stress was utterly terrifying.
Malnutrition and Dangerous Conditions
Compounding these challenges, I already suffered from malnutrition, making me deeply worried for both myself and my developing babies. One particularly traumatic night in January 2025, bombs fell dangerously close to our house, shaking the structure violently and shattering windows.
The intense stress caused my belly to tighten painfully, and my blood pressure spiked alarmingly. My family fled into the darkness, running in terrified silence as I cradled my bump with both hands, praying my babies wouldn't slip away while I tried to escape death.
Overcrowded Shelter and Declining Health
We eventually found shelter in an overcrowded school building where conditions were dire. There was hardly any food, no clean water, and absolutely no medical care available. My malnutrition worsened significantly, and my haemoglobin levels dropped to dangerously low readings.
From that night onward, my health deteriorated steadily, and I lived in constant fear of losing my unborn triplets. As my condition became critical, I was referred to a health facility partnered with the charity Islamic Relief, who agreed to cover all medical costs - approximately 1,500 shekels (£350).
Critical Medical Intervention
When I finally reached their clinic, I was dizzy, weak, and barely functioning. I registered for Islamic Relief's maternal healthcare project, which has supported more than 1,080 pregnant women and newborn babies in Gaza.
During a checkup about three months into my pregnancy, doctors delivered alarming news: I needed an emergency caesarean section, a procedure becoming increasingly common in Gaza due to the war's impact on maternal health. The operation would cost over 1,000 shekels (£220).
I had exhausted all my resources, having already sold my gold jewellery to cover other pregnancy expenses. When Islamic Relief staff told me they would cover everything - including emergency blood transfusions - I cried with overwhelming relief, feeling that God had not abandoned me.
The Terrifying Delivery and New Life
The thought of an emergency C-section terrified me, and during the procedure, I lost significant amounts of blood. I could feel myself fading away, until I heard a cry from one of my daughters. That sound brought me back to consciousness.
My triplets were born in April 2025 - three beautiful baby girls named Israa, Ayla, and Aylo. They arrived premature and underweight, each weighing just 1.8kg (3.9lbs), but they were relatively healthy considering the circumstances.
Without this charitable intervention, I wouldn't be here today - and neither would my daughters. This wasn't merely a medical procedure; it was a rescue mission that saved four lives.
Ongoing Survival Challenges
Although we survived the pregnancy and delivery, new challenges emerged immediately. My children and I now face ongoing risks of malnutrition due to severe food shortages and Gaza's overall destruction.
The reality is exhausting. Feeding three babies is prohibitively expensive - a single tin of formula costs 100 shekels (£22), and I need a new one every two days. Then there are nappies, clothes, and other essentials.
Obtaining basic supplies has become a monumental challenge, especially with insufficient aid reaching Gaza. I don't even have proper cribs for my daughters; they all sleep together on our couch.
A Mother's Hope Amid Despair
I dream that my daughters might grow up in safety, with warm clothes and proper beds like other children worldwide. I want the world to understand that thousands of mothers in Gaza face similar struggles daily.
No matter how desperate our circumstances become, our hope in God never dies. Despite constant fatigue and uncertainty, every time I look at my daughters' faces, I feel they represent the greatest blessing imaginable.
Their survival against such overwhelming odds reminds me that even in Gaza's darkest moments, miracles can still happen - though they often require both divine intervention and human compassion to become reality.
