Leyla Khiji was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, where her Palestinian father Ghazi met her Ukrainian mother Sveta Kulikova. After Ghazi completed his studies, the family moved to Gaza.
Leyla graduated from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, got married, and gave birth to a daughter named Elena.
She and her mother ran a beauty salon, preparing Palestinian brides for their weddings.
The tragic tale
Witnesses claim that the 24-year-old Leyla was found in a semi-destroyed house following an Israeli airstrike, shielding her daughter with her body—a common tale in every war, as mothers of all nationalities, faiths, and languages try to protect their children.
Both Leyla and Elena were rushed to the hospital, but due to a shortage of doctors following another explosion near Al-Ahli Hospital, Leyla could not be saved.
Her two-month-old daughter survived.
Leyla's family is devastated, and her Facebook page is filled with sorrowful messages from those who knew her.
The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of conflict, affecting people from various backgrounds and nationalities.
Rest in Peace Leyla.
You can watch the heartbreaking Facebook post about Leyla below
