Khalil Al-Hajjar, a displaced child from Gaza, lives his innocent life amidst a world filled with chaos. Struggling with autism and hyperactivity, Khalil appears, at first glance, to be an ordinary child. Yet, his deep gaze tells a different story—a story of a small child whose heart carries burdens greater than his years.
The sea still brings peace to Khalil’s heart. He loves sitting on the shore, watching the waves crash before him as if they were painting the features of another world. Khalil draws pictures in the sand with his little fingers, imagining a world of colors and calm in his small mind. For him, drawing is an escape, a secret place where he can just be himself.
When you look into Khalil’s eyes, you see an innocence without limits. Those innocent eyes carry stories yet to be told. You can feel his deep need for safety and love, and behind his outward calmness lies a world of delicate emotions. He is a child who holds so much in his small heart, more than you might expect.
His father is more than just a dad to Khalil; he is his closest friend. Khalil sees his father as his safe haven, the person with whom he can share his simple dreams, joys, and sorrows. When his father is by his side, Khalil feels that life still holds some hope and that the world isn’t as bad as he sometimes imagines it to be.
Khalil Al-Hajjar is a symbol of innocent childhood torn between its innate desires and a harsh reality. His story reflects the suffering of children who find themselves in the midst of a war they didn’t choose, hoping to find a world that offers them some peace and joy.