A devastating airstrike in Khan Younis has tragically claimed nearly the entire family of Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, a prominent pediatrician at the Nasser Hospital. According to Gaza health officials, the attack occurred while Dr. al-Najjar was at work, resulting in a catastrophic loss that has sent shockwaves through the community.
On Friday, an Israeli strike hit the family home of Dr. al-Najjar, engulfing it in flames. Reports indicate that nine of her ten children were killed in the attack. Ahmad al-Farra, head of the pediatrics department at Nasser Hospital, confirmed the heartbreaking news. Among the victims, the children ranged in age from just seven months to 12 years old. Tragically, two of the deceased children remain trapped under the rubble.
The attack has left Dr. al-Najjar’s husband severely injured, and their only surviving child, 11-year-old Adam, is currently in critical condition. The Gaza Government Media Office has released a statement condemning the strike, describing it as a grim reminder of the ongoing genocide faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza. They labeled the incident as a “full-fledged war crime” under international law.
The international community has expressed outrage over the airstrike. Francesca Albanese, the UN’s special rapporteur for the Palestinian territory, criticized the attack, deeming it part of a “sadistic pattern” indicative of a “new phase of genocide” against Palestinians in the besieged enclave. The militant group Hamas echoed these sentiments, accusing Israel of deliberately targeting medical personnel and civilians in a bid to undermine their resilience.
In response, the Israeli military issued a statement asserting that the airstrike targeted suspected fighters operating from a location adjacent to its forces, in an area where civilians had been evacuated. They mentioned that the claims regarding civilian casualties are currently under review.
The situation in Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city, has escalated dramatically. On Monday, Israel issued forced evacuation orders for the area, warning residents of an “unprecedented attack.” Daily bombardments have resulted in heavy casualties, with the al-Najjar family’s tragedy being just one of many. Reports from Gaza’s Health Ministry indicate that 79 bodies were brought to hospitals following Israeli attacks between Friday and midday Saturday. This figure does not account for the facilities in northern Gaza that remain inaccessible due to ongoing conflict.
The Health Ministry has reported a staggering overall death toll in Gaza since October 2023, reaching 53,901, with 122,593 injured. These numbers highlight the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region, prompting calls for urgent international intervention.
The devastating impact of this airstrike on Dr. Alaa al-Najjar's family serves as a stark reminder of the dire situation in Gaza. As the conflict continues, the loss of innocent lives raises critical questions about the need for accountability and peace in the region. The international community watches closely as the humanitarian crisis deepens, urging for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
