With no nappies, formula or food, new mothers struggle to keep their babies alive

It's hardly the life Israa imagined for her baby daughter when she learned she was pregnant in late May last year.

Like most expecting mothers, she had hopes of buying soft and colourful baby blankets for her little angel Rushdi, along with other items such as socks and early-development toys.

But throughout much of her pregnancy, Israa, who gave only her first name, was instead repeatedly on the move, forced to forego baby shopping and flee on foot, precariously from one shelter to another, in an attempt to outrun Israeli air strikes and invading Israeli soldiers.

"I never imagined I would give birth to my first child away from home and surrounded by air strikes," the young mother told Middle East Eye.

In the midst of what should have been a cause for joy and celebration, Israa said she was made to think mostly about death.

READ MORE: With no nappies, formula or food, new mothers struggle to keep their babies alive