Medical community and international leaders demand accountability as Gaza civilian toll escalates
New York, N.Y. — An Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, Gaza, has killed nine of pediatrician Dr. Alaa al-Najjar’s ten children, aged between one and twelve. Her husband, Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar, is in intensive care after undergoing multiple surgeries.
Pediatrician’s Family Devastated in Khan Younis Strike
Their only surviving child remains in serious but stable condition. At the time of the attack, Dr. Alaa was on duty at Nasser Hospital, treating other wounded Palestinians.
The Israeli military confirmed conducting the airstrike, asserting they targeted militants and had evacuated civilians beforehand. However, medical officials state the victims were children aged one to twelve.
Israeli Military Reviewing Civilian Casualties
The Israeli military has stated it is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the airstrike that resulted in the deaths of Dr. al-Najjar’s children.
The military maintains that the intended targets were militants operating near Israeli troops.
This incident is part of a broader escalation, with over 100 sites targeted across Gaza and at least 79 people killed in a day, including members of the Dardouna family.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amid Ongoing Conflict
Since the conflict escalated in October 2023, over 53,000 Palestinians have been killed, predominantly civilians, including more than 16,500 children. The war has displaced nearly all of Gaza’s over two million residents.
Humanitarian conditions remain dire; Israel had blocked essential supplies for over two months and recently allowed minimal aid after warnings of famine and international pressure. The United Nations has rejected Israel’s new tightly controlled aid delivery system.
International Community Calls for Accountability
The international community has expressed outrage over the civilian casualties in Gaza. The United Kingdom, France, and Canada have threatened “concrete actions” against Israel over the situation in Gaza.
Human Rights Watch has stated that Israel’s repeated attacks on medical facilities, health personnel, and ambulances in Gaza should be “investigated as war crimes.”
