Ahmed, a young boy from the Gaza Strip, grows up in the shadow of conflict and the weight of his father’s legacy as a martyr. Surrounded by whispers of resistance and the looming presence of war, Ahmed’s world is one of constant pressure. He wrestles with the expectations of his family and the militant ideology passed down by his uncle, yet deep inside, he feels a flicker of doubt.
“I am the son of a Shahid, a martyr. I’m supposed to be strong, to fight. But sometimes I wonder—what if there’s another way? What if I’m meant to be something more?”
Despite his surroundings, Ahmed harbours quiet dreams of a different life, far removed from the violence and loss that defines his world. His journey is one of inner conflict, as he struggles to reconcile the duty to his family with his growing desire for peace.
Living in Tel Aviv, Yossi’s life is a stark contrast to Ahmed’s. He enjoys the freedoms of a bustling, vibrant city, yet even here, the tension of conflict is never far away. Like many Israeli boys, Yossi faces the reality of compulsory military service, a future he views with growing fear and hesitation. His family—particularly his father, a former soldier—expects him to embrace this path, but Yossi longs for something different.
“They say serving in the army is an honour. But what if I don’t want that? What if there’s a better way to serve my country? One that doesn’t involve fighting?”
Yossi is torn between the pressure to conform to tradition and the hope for a future without violence. His journey is one of self-discovery, as he navigates the difficult choices ahead, all while seeking peace in a world that seems to resist it.
Ahmed sat in the darkened cell, the walls pressing in from all sides. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and rusted iron, a reminder of where he was—of the choices that led him here. He closed his eyes, letting his mind drift back to Jabalia, to the streets he used to roam, the laughter of children playing in the dust.
He remembered his mother’s voice, her words heavy with both pride and anger.
"You will be strong, Ahmed. You will make us proud.”
But here, in the silence, those words felt distant, like they belonged to someone else. He wondered, for the first time, if the strength his mother spoke of was the same strength he truly wanted. He had followed his uncle Yusuf, had taken the path laid before him—the only one he thought he could walk.
But now…now he wasn’t sure.
“Did I really have a choice?” he whispered into the darkness.
His thoughts were interrupted by the memory of the soldier’s eyes—the boy across from him in the tunnel, his rifle aimed but never fired. For a brief moment, their eyes had locked, and in that instant, Ahmed saw something he wasn’t prepared for. Fear. Just like his own. And something more…a question, perhaps. A plea.
"Why didn’t he shoot?"
Ahmed clenched his fists, trying to push the memory away. But it lingered, hanging in the air like the dust that never quite settled in Gaza. He had been raised to see them as enemies. But when he looked into that soldier’s eyes, all he saw was another boy, like him, trying to survive.
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Across the border, Yossi lay in the hospital bed, the steady beep of the machines his only company. His body ached, but the pain was nothing compared to the weight pressing down on his heart. He tried to close his eyes, but every time he did, he saw the same thing—the boy in the tunnel.
He had hesitated. He could have fired, but something stopped him. His finger had hovered over the trigger, and in that moment, he saw more than just an enemy. He saw a boy. Just like him.
“Who are you?” Yossi whispered to the empty room, his voice barely a breath. “And why didn’t we shoot?”
He didn’t have the answers. All he knew was that something had shifted. In that brief exchange, in that fleeting moment of shared humanity, everything changed. The lines blurred, and Yossi wasn’t sure he could ever see the world the same way again.
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In that moment, across the divide, Ahmed and Yossi both knew. The hardest battle wasn’t the one outside. It was the one within.
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This excerpt captures a pivotal emotional moment, showcasing the internal conflict of both boys as they question the path they’ve been set on. It gives readers a taste of the novel’s reflective, character-driven style and the deep themes of identity and humanity that run through the story.
Billy MacLeod MBE is the Chief Operations Officer at Veterans in Action (VIA), a charity dedicated to helping former soldiers rebuild their lives after the psychological impact of war. His unwavering commitment to supporting veterans suffering from PTSD and other war-related challenges has defined his career and inspired his debut novel, Through Their Eyes: A Journey of Two Worlds.
As a soldier, Billy experienced the stark realities of conflict firsthand. His journey didn’t end when he left the military; it evolved into a mission to aid others in their recovery. Billy was recognised with an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his outstanding service to veterans and his local community. His charity work, which includes pioneering adventure-based therapy for veterans, has supported over 1,700 veterans and taken more than 500 on life-changing expeditions. These experiences have given Billy a unique insight into the human cost of conflict, which is woven deeply into his writing.
Billy’s time in the British Army and his extensive work with Veterans in Action not only inform his understanding of war’s lasting effects but also provide a foundation for his novel’s exploration of the human spirit. Through Their Eyes tells the story of two boys—one Palestinian and one Israeli—caught on opposite sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It’s a powerful tale of resilience, identity, and the hope for peace, all told through the lens of children navigating the scars of war.
What sets Billy apart as a storyteller is his first-hand experience of the conflict zones and regions depicted in his novel. He has personally travelled to some of the most affected areas in the Middle East, gathering stories from those directly impacted by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These visits gave him profound insights into the lives of people caught in the crossfire, which he has infused into the emotional complexity of his characters and the authenticity of their struggles.
Billy’s charity’s hands-on approach, alongside his time spent in these conflict regions, has helped him craft an empathetic and humanising portrayal of characters struggling with their identities amidst turmoil. His writing resonates with a profound understanding of trauma and healing, reflecting his passion for building bridges between divided communities.
Billy’s work transcends borders and backgrounds, offering readers an honest and heartfelt exploration of war, survival, and the universal desire for peace. He continues to dedicate his life to highlighting the impact of conflict, especially on young people, while using his platform to inspire understanding, reconciliation, and hope.