Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar, a 40-year-old Palestinian doctor, succumbed to injuries inflicted during an Israeli airstrike on Gaza, which also claimed the lives of his nine children. His wife and one son remain as the only survivors, highlighting the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in the region.
Tragic Loss: Gaza Doctor Dies After Family is Shattered by Airstrike
Tragic Loss: Gaza Doctor Dies After Family is Shattered by Airstrike
A physician loses his life following an attack that killed nine of his children, a heartbreaking account of the toll of conflict.
Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar, who died from wounds sustained on May 23, had returned home after dropping off his wife, Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, at Nasser Hospital, where both worked. Their home in Khan Younis was struck by an Israeli airstrike, taking the lives of nine of their children, with their tenth child suffering severe injuries. Health officials reported that Dr. Hamdi faced significant brain and internal trauma and ultimately died on Saturday. Alaa and their surviving son, Adam, aged 11, are now the only remaining family members.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated an investigation into the incident was underway. Dr. Hamdi was recognized by colleagues and family as a compassionate doctor who offered his services to poorer patients for free, as noted by his brother, Dr. Ali al-Najjar. The strike, which claimed the lives of Yahya, Rakan, Ruslan, Jubran, Eve, Rivan, Saydeen, Luqman, and Sidra, targeted a location identified by IDF forces as containing suspects involved in militant activities.
Dr. Milena Angelova-Chee, who treated Dr. Hamdi, shared insights about the injuries he sustained, while Graeme Groom, a British surgeon, highlighted the tragedy of a pediatrician losing nearly all her children in an instant. Amidst the chaos, there has been an overwhelming outpouring of grief, with mourners gathering for Dr. al-Najjar's funeral on Sunday.
Following an appeal from Dr. al-Najjar's brother, Italy's government expressed readiness to assist in transferring young Adam for advanced medical treatment, as Nasser Hospital struggled with the demands of his injuries. The escalation of violence in Gaza has reportedly resulted in approximately 54,418 deaths according to the local health ministry, and the urgency for humanitarian aid remains critical as struggles continue in the war-torn region.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated an investigation into the incident was underway. Dr. Hamdi was recognized by colleagues and family as a compassionate doctor who offered his services to poorer patients for free, as noted by his brother, Dr. Ali al-Najjar. The strike, which claimed the lives of Yahya, Rakan, Ruslan, Jubran, Eve, Rivan, Saydeen, Luqman, and Sidra, targeted a location identified by IDF forces as containing suspects involved in militant activities.
Dr. Milena Angelova-Chee, who treated Dr. Hamdi, shared insights about the injuries he sustained, while Graeme Groom, a British surgeon, highlighted the tragedy of a pediatrician losing nearly all her children in an instant. Amidst the chaos, there has been an overwhelming outpouring of grief, with mourners gathering for Dr. al-Najjar's funeral on Sunday.
Following an appeal from Dr. al-Najjar's brother, Italy's government expressed readiness to assist in transferring young Adam for advanced medical treatment, as Nasser Hospital struggled with the demands of his injuries. The escalation of violence in Gaza has reportedly resulted in approximately 54,418 deaths according to the local health ministry, and the urgency for humanitarian aid remains critical as struggles continue in the war-torn region.
