58-year-old Palestinian academic Dr. Muhammad Othman al-Khatib is now sleeping under a flight of stairs in a bomb-damaged building in the Jabaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza, after an Israeli airstrike destroyed his home and left him without a livelihood.
With a doctorate in philosophy of science and research methodology, al-Khatib spent decades in pursuit of academic achievement, only to find himself struggling to survive amid the rubble.
He recalled how an Israeli missile passed directly over his head, leaving him trapped in darkness and debris until morning.
Today, he lives in constant fear of the damaged building collapsing, while heavy rains flood his makeshift shelter and soak his few remaining possessions.