I almost died today

I know the world loves heroic Gazan stories. That's why I'm sharing this one.

Today, I had a near-death experience, but I successfully rescued a child from drowning.

I've been feeling sick for the past few days. Physically exhausted, mentally traumatized, and completely drained. I came home from my night shift this morning and slept a little. The weather was unbearably hot, so Il called my friend Aboud and suggested we go to the beach.

We originally planned to go south, but by coincidence, we met another friend on the road and ended up going north instead.

When we arrived, we sat on a chair carrying the name of one of our occupied cities.

Five minutes later, I saw a father running toward the sea while the mother waved at him, screaming that their child was drowning. I looked out and saw the boy far into the water, struggling just to keep his head above the surface. I knew instantly that I had to help. I ran to the shore, took off my clothes and shoes, and swam toward him. His father didn't know how to swim, so it was only me and the child out there.

So l started pushing him forward, again and again. After a few moments, I truly thought we were both going to die. I kept trying to push him ahead and swim after him, but the fatigue was taking over my body. I told him to try to float, but he was exhausted too. We both swallowed water. We both looked at each other, knowing neither of us could keep this up much longer. The tide kept pulling us in. Still, I couldn't let go. I kept pushing him forward, swimming toward him again, then pushing him again, until suddenly I felt sand under my feet. That was the moment I knew we had made it.

By the time I reached him, he had already swallowed a lot of water, but he was still conscious. He grabbed onto me immediately. I had to go underwater myself just to keep him above the surface long enough for him to breathe. That was when I realized how serious it was. I was already exhausted and sick before I even entered the sea. l could barely keep both of us afloat. Every time he held onto me, my own head went underwater. I couldn't breathe. I realized I had to push him away from me to keep us alive.

I tried to push the water out of his stomach. Then we both collapsed. I told his father to get us both to the hospital. The boy was still breathing, but he couldn't respond, speak, or walk. Neither could I.

I was drowsy, confused, unable to talk properly, and I felt like my organs were about to come out of my mouth.

When I arrived at the hospital, I saw my colleagues and waved at them for help. They gave us Oxygen, medications, and clean water. More than an hour passed before I finally gathered enough strength to look across the room at the child lying on the opposite bed.

When I saw that he was still breathing, broke down crying. I cried for him and his family. For myself and my family. For everything. I called out to him and asked his name.

Weakly, he answered, "Mohammed. "

I told him he was a hero for holding on for so long, and for being such a strong kid. He' s only ten years old.

Finally, I was able to stand up and walk toward him. He was lying quietly in the hospital bed. I held his feet in my hands, and I could feel the exhaustion still inside his small body, but also the relief that he was alive,

This is not the end of the story. The child is still in the hospital receiving further care. I truly hope he makes it through without any complications. He's the only child for his parents.