Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar, Gaza Strike Survivor and Father of Nine, Succumbs to Injuries
A Palestinian doctor has tragically died from injuries he suffered during an Israeli airstrike last week, which also claimed the lives of his nine children in the southern Gaza Strip.
In an X post on Sunday, Muneer al-Boursh, the Director General of Gaza’s Health Ministry, announced the death of Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar, noting that he has joined his nine children who were previously killed.
A tragic incident has left a family bereft, with only the grieving mother and her injured child surviving, according to official statements.
On May 23, an Israeli airstrike targeted the Najjar family’s residence in the city of Khan Yunis while Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, the mother, was on duty in the emergency room at Nasser Hospital.
Several hours later, the remains of her nine children—Yahya, Rakan, Raslan, Gebran, Eve, Rival, Sayden, Luqman, and Sidra, ranging in age from only a few months to 12 years—were brought to the same hospital.
Online footage revealed the harrowing scene of charred and dismembered children’s bodies being recovered from the debris of their home, while flames continued to consume the remnants of the structure.
In a tragic turn of events, Adam Najjar, aged 11, emerged as the sole survivor out of ten siblings in the Najjar family, alongside his father, Hamdi. Unfortunately, Hamdi succumbed to his injuries a few days following the incident.
According to reports, Hamdi had left his wife at Nasser Hospital and went to get food for his children. Upon his return, he saw a missile strike on his home that did not detonate. He quickly rushed inside to save his children but was tragically caught in a second Israeli air raid.
In a message of condolence to Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, the Palestinian Health Ministry commended her as “the resolute Palestinian woman and esteemed doctor who mends the wounds of others while enduring her own suffering in quiet dignity.”
The statement highlighted that this appalling act is not an isolated occurrence but rather a component of a systematic campaign targeting medical professionals and institutions, intended to undermine the resolve of those remaining steadfast in Gaza.
The conflict in the Gaza Strip escalated significantly on October 7, 2023, with Israel launching a major military offensive following a significant operation by Hamas. This action by Hamas was carried out in response to increased actions by Israel against Palestinians, heightening tensions in the region.
To date, Israeli forces have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 54,381 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, and have injured an additional 124,054 individuals in the blockaded region.
The regime in control has been intentionally obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, reportedly employing the deprivation of food for civilians as a tactic in their military strategy.
