Doctor Couple in Gaza Loses 9 out of 10 Children in Israeli Attack

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A Palestinian doctor lost nine out of 10 of his children in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza last weekend. He is currently fighting for his life in intensive care. Dr. Hamdi Al-Najjar is receiving intensive medical treatment at Nasser Hospital, southern Gaza.

Reported by NDTV, the tragedy struck the Al-Najjar family on Friday, May 24, 2025, when an Israeli airstrike hit their home in Khan Younis. At the time of the incident, Hamdi was at home with his 10 children. From the attack, nine children died. They were aged 1 to 12 years old, while one boy survived in serious but stable condition.

Abdul Aziz Al-Farra, a thoracic surgeon who is treating the victims, explained that Hamdi had undergone two operations to stop the bleeding in his abdomen and chest. In addition, he also suffered injuries to his head and other parts of his body. "May Allah heal him and help him," said Al-Farra, standing beside Hamdi's bed with a breathing apparatus and thick bandages.

A tragic irony befell Hamdi's wife, Alaa, who is also a doctor. When the attack occurred, she was on duty at the same hospital where her husband and children are now being treated, caring for the casualties of the Gaza conflict that has been ongoing for over 20 months. Upon returning from her shift, she found her home destroyed and her children burnt to death.

"She came home to find her children burnt to death, may Allah help her," said Tahani Yahya Al-Najjar, Dr. Alaa's sister-in-law. "With all that we are going through, only Allah gives us strength."

Ali Al-Najjar, Hamdi's brother, recounted how he rushed to his brother's house upon hearing the attack. The fire triggered by the attack nearly brought down the house. "We started removing the charred bodies," he recalled with a heavy heart.

The Israeli military has confirmed the airstrike in Khan Younis on Friday, stating that the target was suspected individuals in a structure near the position of the Israeli troops. The military claimed to be investigating the alleged deaths of "uninvolved civilian" and asserted that they had evacuated civilians from the area before the operation commenced.

In their statement, the Israeli military referred to Khan Younis as a "dangerous war zone". The conflict, which has been ongoing for more than 20 months, has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, which numbers over 2 million people.

The war began when Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians, and kidnapping 251 others. Israel's retaliatory campaign aimed at eradicating Hamas and freeing hostages has resulted in the deaths of over 53,000 Palestinian residents, according to Gaza health officials. The majority of the casualties were civilians, including over 16,500 children under the age of 18, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Editor's Choice: Malaysia Condemns Double Standards on Israel's Genocide in Gaza

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

Puan Maharani Appeals to Chinese PM to End Genocide in Gaza

5 jam lalu

Today's Top 3 News: US Lawmaker Calls to 'Nuke' Gaza, Hamas: 'It's Genocide Incitement'

13 jam lalu

Malaysia Condemns Double Standards on Israel's Genocide in Gaza

15 jam lalu

Gaza Death Toll Reaches 53,900

1 hari lalu

US Lawmaker Calls to 'Nuke' Gaza, Hamas: 'It's Genocide Incitement'

1 hari lalu

Today's Top 3 News: Indonesia Condemns Israeli Firing on Diplomats, Cites Impunity

1 hari lalu

Pope Leo XIV on Gaza: Allow Entry of Humanitarian Aid, End Hostilities

1 hari lalu

Tearful WHO Chief Urges Israel to Show 'Mercy' in Gaza

2 hari lalu

Indonesia Condemns Israeli Firing on Diplomats, Cites Impunity

2 hari lalu

Several Gaza Bakeries Resume Operations as Israeli Blockade Eases

3 hari lalu