“I was telling them this is thunder, don’t worry, don’t be afraid.” —Ayman Atalla, 38, talking of his three children in the December 2008 Israeli massacre of Gaza, "Operation Castlead" it’s only thunder don’t you worry don’t be afraid lay your head down close your eyes because its only thunder breaking but father, father the bombs are dropping and i am afraid our house is shaking our windows breaking and i am afraid no child no it’s only thunder so don’t you worry don’t be afraid just lay your head down and close your eyes now for it's only thunder shaking but father, father the sky is smoking and i am afraid the streets are cracking and boys next door are bleeding and i am afraid oh dear daughter it’s only thunder please don’t worry don’t be afraid go lay your head down and let your eyes close it’s only thunder cracking but father, father why won’t you answer? can’t you hear me? tell me, ‘don’t be afraid’ tell me, ‘don’t be afraid’ because i’m so afraid i am so afraid