A tragic Israeli airstrike in Gaza has claimed the lives of nine children from a single family, marking one of the most devastating examples of civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict. Dr Alaa al-Najjar, a pediatrician at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, was on duty when she received the bodies of her nine children—aged up to 12—killed in a strike that hit her home.
A Family Shattered
The attack occurred on Friday while Najjar’s husband, also a doctor, had just returned home after dropping her off. He and one child, 11-year-old Adam, survived but suffered injuries. British surgeon Graeme Groom, volunteering at the hospital, treated Adam and confirmed the father had no political or military ties.
Mohammed Saqer, head of nursing, described the doctor watching as the charred bodies of her children were pulled from rubble. Two of the children were initially missing but later confirmed dead. Footage from the scene, verified by media sources, shows the horrific aftermath near a petrol station in Khan Younis.
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Wider Toll Across Gaza
The strike was part of a broader offensive in which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted more than 100 sites across Gaza in one day. Gaza’s health ministry reported 79 deaths in 24 hours, warning that the toll may rise due to ongoing bombardments. The Dardouna family also lost 30 members, including infants, in separate airstrikes.
International Condemnation
Hamas condemned the strike on Najjar’s home as a “horrific massacre,” accusing Israel of revenge-fueled aggression. UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese described the killings as part of a “sadistic pattern” within what she termed a genocidal campaign.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
As the offensive continues, aid agencies report soaring hunger and risk of famine. Israel recently indicated it may allow humanitarian groups to manage non-food aid via a new body, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. However, critical shortages persist after months of restricted supplies, worsening conditions for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
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