GAZA: An Israeli airstrike in Gaza struck the home of Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, killing nine of her ten children, according to the hospital where she works in Khan Younis, according to BBC.
Nasser Hospital reported that Dr. al-Najjar’s husband and one child were injured but survived. British surgeon Graeme Groom, who treated the surviving 11-year-old son, described the loss as “unbearably cruel,” especially given the doctor’s years of caring for children as a pediatrician.
The Israeli military said its aircraft targeted “a number of suspects” in Khan Younis on Friday, and is currently reviewing claims of civilian casualties.
A video verified by the BBC, shared by the Hamas-run health ministry’s director, showed the bodies of children being recovered from the rubble in Khan Younis.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strike hit suspects operating near IDF troops in Khan Younis, a declared dangerous war zone where civilians had been evacuated prior to operations for their safety.
The IDF also reported attacking over 100 targets across Gaza in the last 24 hours, BBC stated.
The Gaza health ministry confirmed at least 74 deaths caused by Israeli military actions during this period. Dr. Muneer Alboursh, the health ministry director, noted that the family home was hit shortly after Dr. al-Najjar’s husband had returned home, following a drive that took her to work. The eldest of her children was 12 years old.
(Report based on inputs from BBC)
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