Child Profile: Baraa’ Saleh Mahmoud Al Re’qeb

Name: Baraa’ Saleh Mahmoud Al Re’qeb

Date of Birth: 27 April 2003

Date of Death: 26 July 2014

When Baraa’ was born, her father saw her innocent face and decided to name her Baraa’, meaning ‘innocence’ in Arabic. Baraa’ liked drawing, writing and participating in her school parties. She sang the songs from the children’s television channel Toyor Al Jannah with a sweet voice.

“She was a spoiled girl. Her father dreamed of seeing her graduate as a doctor. She had a twin brother; they were very different in their looks and personalities. Bara’a used to help her cousin, who had disability, move around. She stayed by her side all the time,” said her mother.

Baraa’ was scared when she heard the sounds of explosions from Israeli bombardments. When a nearby house was bombarded, Baraa’ decided to go to her sister’s house, thinking it was safer. On 26 July 2014, her sister’s house was targeted by Israeli forces and Baraa’ was killed. She was 11.