Gaza pediatrician and mother loses 9 of 10 children after Israeli airstrike hits their home, hospital says
The tragic story of a pediatrician and mother of 10 mourning the deaths of nine of her young children after an Israeli airstrike hit their home near Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip has left the world in shock. Dr. Alaa al-Najjar’s husband, also a doctor, was severely wounded and is now fighting for his life in intensive care. Their only surviving child was also injured in the attack, according to Dr. Munir al-Bursh, director-general of the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.
The heartbreaking loss of innocent lives has once again highlighted the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in the region. Nasser Medical Complex, where Dr. al-Najjar works as a pediatric specialist, expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, emphasizing the unimaginable pain that the medical staff in Gaza endure on a daily basis.
The Israel Defense Forces have stated that their aircraft targeted suspects operating near IDF troops in the area of Khan Yunis, and they are currently reviewing the claim of harm to uninvolved civilians. The IDF emphasized the dangerous nature of the war zone in the Khan Yunis area and stated that civilians were evacuated from the area before military operations began.
Dr. Ahmed al-Farra, head of pediatrics and obstetrics at the Tahrir clinic in Nasser Medical Complex, confirmed the devastating incident, revealing that Dr. al-Najjar received the heartbreaking news while at work. She rushed to the site of the attack on foot, only to discover that her family home had been completely destroyed.
Among the children who lost their lives in the airstrike were five boys and four girls, ranging in age from seven months to 12 years. The surviving child, an 11-year-old son, is currently in critical condition after undergoing two surgeries. The father, Dr. al-Najjar’s husband, is also in critical condition and may require a leg amputation.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with Nasser Medical Complex still awaiting much-needed aid. Recent reports of aid trucks being looted in the region have further exacerbated the crisis, leaving millions at risk of extreme hunger and famine.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has claimed thousands of lives in Gaza, with women and children bearing the brunt of the violence. The international community must come together to address the root causes of the conflict and work towards a lasting peace that ensures the safety and security of all civilians in the region.
-ABC News’ Samy Zayara and Nasser Atta contributed to this report.
