Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Claims Lives of Doctor Couple's Children
Nine children of a doctor couple killed in Khan Younis strike as claims of civilian casualties are under review by Israeli military.
An Israeli airstrike in the southern city of Khan Younis on Friday resulted in the deaths of nine out of ten children of a couple, both doctors, according to Gaza's civil defense agency.
On Saturday, agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal reported that the bodies of the children, described as martyrs, were recovered from the home of Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar and his wife, Dr. Alaa al-Najjar.
Some of the bodies were found severely burned.
Israel's military stated that the airstrike targeted individuals believed to be operating from a structure close to its forces, characterizing the area of Khan Younis as a 'dangerous war zone.' The military agency added that it had taken steps to evacuate civilians from the vicinity and noted that allegations regarding harm to uninvolved civilians are currently under review.
Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, a pediatrician at Nasser Hospital, was on duty when the incident occurred.
Hospital director Ahmad al-Farra reported that she returned home to find the family's house ablaze shortly after her husband, Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar, had driven her to work.
Shortly after returning home, a missile struck their house, as noted by Muneer Alboursh, director general of the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.
Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar is currently in intensive care, while the couple's only surviving child, an 11-year-old son, is reported to be in critical condition.
The deceased children were between the ages of seven months and 12 years.
The incident comes amid increasing scrutiny and criticism from European nations, including the United Kingdom and France, regarding Israel's military operations in Gaza.
Felix Klein, the German government's antisemitism commissioner, emphasized the need for a discussion on the extent of support for Israel, acknowledging Germany's historical responsibility towards Israel, particularly after the Holocaust.
Klein reaffirmed Germany's commitment to Israel's security but highlighted the necessity for humanitarian considerations in the ongoing conflict, stressing that an occupying power has obligations to its civilian population.
While acknowledging the right to self-defense against Hamas, he raised questions about the proportionality of Israeli military actions.
Since the outbreak of hostilities, Israel has conducted a military campaign in Gaza in response to a terror attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities in Israel and the taking of 251 hostages by Hamas and other Palestinian groups.
According to Gaza's health authorities, nearly 54,000 individuals have died in the ongoing conflict amid the Israeli airstrikes.
However, Israel and the United States have disputed this casualty figure, while the United Nations and various international organizations have regarded the Gaza Health Ministry's data as generally reliable.
Klein also addressed the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, emphasizing that a territorial occupation entails responsibilities, including ensuring adequate food supplies and medical care for the population.
He called attention to the challenges posed by the ongoing military campaign and the need for humanitarian relief.
On Saturday, agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal reported that the bodies of the children, described as martyrs, were recovered from the home of Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar and his wife, Dr. Alaa al-Najjar.
Some of the bodies were found severely burned.
Israel's military stated that the airstrike targeted individuals believed to be operating from a structure close to its forces, characterizing the area of Khan Younis as a 'dangerous war zone.' The military agency added that it had taken steps to evacuate civilians from the vicinity and noted that allegations regarding harm to uninvolved civilians are currently under review.
Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, a pediatrician at Nasser Hospital, was on duty when the incident occurred.
Hospital director Ahmad al-Farra reported that she returned home to find the family's house ablaze shortly after her husband, Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar, had driven her to work.
Shortly after returning home, a missile struck their house, as noted by Muneer Alboursh, director general of the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.
Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar is currently in intensive care, while the couple's only surviving child, an 11-year-old son, is reported to be in critical condition.
The deceased children were between the ages of seven months and 12 years.
The incident comes amid increasing scrutiny and criticism from European nations, including the United Kingdom and France, regarding Israel's military operations in Gaza.
Felix Klein, the German government's antisemitism commissioner, emphasized the need for a discussion on the extent of support for Israel, acknowledging Germany's historical responsibility towards Israel, particularly after the Holocaust.
Klein reaffirmed Germany's commitment to Israel's security but highlighted the necessity for humanitarian considerations in the ongoing conflict, stressing that an occupying power has obligations to its civilian population.
While acknowledging the right to self-defense against Hamas, he raised questions about the proportionality of Israeli military actions.
Since the outbreak of hostilities, Israel has conducted a military campaign in Gaza in response to a terror attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities in Israel and the taking of 251 hostages by Hamas and other Palestinian groups.
According to Gaza's health authorities, nearly 54,000 individuals have died in the ongoing conflict amid the Israeli airstrikes.
However, Israel and the United States have disputed this casualty figure, while the United Nations and various international organizations have regarded the Gaza Health Ministry's data as generally reliable.
Klein also addressed the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, emphasizing that a territorial occupation entails responsibilities, including ensuring adequate food supplies and medical care for the population.
He called attention to the challenges posed by the ongoing military campaign and the need for humanitarian relief.
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Translated by AI
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