Dr. Alaa al-Najjar's family faced an unimaginable tragedy when an Israeli airstrike killed nine of her ten children. As her husband retrieves from critical injuries, the dire situation in Gaza continues, with heightened fears of famine affecting the population.
Tragedy Strikes Gaza Doctor as Israeli Airstrike Claims Nine of Her Children
Tragedy Strikes Gaza Doctor as Israeli Airstrike Claims Nine of Her Children
In a devastating incident, a Palestinian doctor's family is shattered after an Israeli strike kills nine of her children, leaving her husband battling for life.
In a heartbreaking incident, Hamdi al-Najjar, a doctor in Gaza, remains in critical condition at Nasser Hospital after an Israeli airstrike tragically ended the lives of nine of his ten children. Dr. Milena Angelova-Chee, a colleague of Hamdi and Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, confirmed that Hamdi’s life is still at risk due to serious injuries sustained during the attack on Friday.
The Israeli military stated the incident is under review, while the Hamas-run health ministry reports that the airstrikes have resulted in at least 22 fatalities since dawn on the day of the incident. Hamdi suffered extensive damage, impacting his brain, lungs, right arm, and kidney. Meanwhile, the couple’s surviving son, 11-year-old Adam, is reportedly in stable condition.
Dr. Alaa al-Najjar was attending to patients when the airstrike occurred. Grievous footage shared and verified revealed small, charred bodies being pulled from the debris. The nine deceased children, aged between a few months to 12 years old, included Yahya, Rakan, Raslan, Gebran, Eve, Rival, Sayden, Luqman, and Sidra.
Dr. Angelova-Chee expressed the deep anguish faced by Dr. Alaa, describing her situation as “unspeakable suffering.” She emphasized the shared pain across Gaza, highlighting that families are enduring similar circumstances amidst ongoing hostilities. The situation has been exacerbated by relentless threats of violence and constant evacuations reported over the past 18 months.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) indicated that air operations targeted individuals suspected of activity near IDF troops in Khan Younis, declaring the area a “dangerous war zone.” On Monday, the IDF further urged residents in Khan Younis to evacuate ahead of a significant military operation, marking one of the most extensive evacuation orders in months. Many Palestinians have reported being unable to leave out of a lack of viable options.
Since military actions resumed on March 18, over 3,785 Palestinians have reportedly died, as per health ministry records. The humanitarian situation remains dire; the Israeli total blockade imposed earlier this month has severely limited aid accessibility, raising alarms about famine risks among the population.
As conditions worsen, the United Nations reports an urgent need for aid, estimating that 500 to 600 trucks are required daily, while only 388 have entered Gaza since the beginning of the week. Local bakery owners are facing severe operational challenges, leading to concerns for their safety and a pause in operations amid food supply shortages.
Overall, the events surrounding the al-Najjar family reflect a broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where continuous military actions have led to significant loss of life and suffering among civilians. The ongoing conflict continues to create a cycle of tragedy for families like the al-Najjars, as many grapple with unthinkable losses and the struggle for survival in increasingly untenable circumstances.
