Autism and war: Gaza families grapple with destruction and loss

Khan Younis, Gaza Strip – Among the rubble of Khan Younis, 16-year-old Ahmed Hatem al-Mahabeel clutches his hand tightly under his chin – a repetitive movement he uses to calm his nervous system and cope with the memory of the sound of explosions.

Ahmed, who lives with autism, has had to face the loss of some of his favourite places – his bedroom, his school, the sports academy ...