Israeli strike kills nine of Gaza doctor's children, hospital says

An Israeli airstrike on the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis has killed nine of the ten children of a local paediatrician, according to Nasser Hospital, where the doctor works.

The bombing, which struck the home of Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, also injured her surviving child and her husband, Caliber.Az reports, citing Western media.

The devastating incident has drawn sharp reactions within the hospital. British surgeon Dr. Graeme Groom, who is currently volunteering at Nasser Hospital and treated Dr. al-Najjar’s 11-year-old son, described the loss as “unbearably cruel,” noting that the mother had dedicated her life to saving children’s lives.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it conducted strikes in Khan Younis on May 23, saying its aircraft had “struck a number of suspects” operating in proximity to Israeli forces. A spokesperson added that claims of civilian casualties are "under review."

Video footage verified by the BBC showed charred remains being pulled from the rubble in the aftermath of the strike. The footage was initially shared by the director of the Hamas-run health ministry.

The IDF reiterated that Khan Younis remains a “dangerous war zone” and that civilians were previously urged to evacuate for their own safety before operations resumed. According to the Israeli military, more than 100 targets were struck across Gaza between May 23 and 24.

Gaza’s health ministry reported that at least 74 people were killed during that same 24-hour period, adding to the mounting civilian toll in the conflict.

Israel’s military offensive in Gaza began in response to the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage. Since then, at least 53,901 Palestinians — including over 16,500 children — have been killed, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

By Khagan Isayev