Date of Publication: May 24, 2025The Guardian/Ledger
Hamas strongly condemned an Israeli airstrike which killed nine children from one family in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, as an atrocious massacre and indefensible breach of international law.
On Friday afternoon, an attack targeting the home of Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, a pediatrician at Nasser Medical Complex was carried out. Her husband Hamdi and one of their children, aged between infant and 12 years, were injured but survived while nine other children, between infant and 12 years, were killed; graphic footage shared by Palestinian Civil Defence showed rescuers retrieving bodies from under the rubble of Dr. al-Najjar’s residence. “………………. W/B = 15
Hamas issued a statement accusing Israel of deliberately targeting civilians and committing war crimes, specifically children, with “this barbaric act highlighting their occupation’s policy of targeting innocent civilians, particularly children, in its relentless attacks against our people,” according to their statement.
Israeli forces have yet to issue an official response regarding this incident; however, in a general statement issued yesterday by Israel Defense Forces (IDF), they stated they had attacked over 100 targets across Gaza since yesterday morning targeting what they described as “terrorist infrastructure.”
United Nations and various human rights organizations have expressed serious alarm over the rising civilian death toll in Gaza. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described this phase of conflict as the “cruellest” for Palestinians, underscoring their immense suffering and humanitarian crisis unfolding there.
The Guardian
Dr. Muneer Alboursh, director of Hamas-run health ministry, reported that al-Najjar family home was struck shortly after Hamdi had returned from driving his wife to work. British surgeon Graeme Groom from Nasser hospital operated on an 11-year-old who survived and described this ordeal as unimaginable.
BBC This incident has reignited international calls for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been under a tight blockade and access restrictions, leading to widespread malnutrition and healthcare system breakdown.
As the conflict drags on, Gaza has seen over 53,000 deaths – many women and children being among those taken out. Opinions among international leaders remain divided as to the path forward; nonetheless, time for resolution is quickly running out.
Wikipedia- This incident underscores the devastating toll of conflict on civilians, especially children, as well as the urgent need to take immediate steps to safeguard innocent lives.