In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Mohammad al-Dalou, a Palestinian father, is mourning the loss of his second child this week. The devastating incident occurred at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, where Abdul Rahman, an 11-year-old boy, succumbed to injuries sustained in a fire caused by an Israeli airstrike on the hospital complex.
Al-Dalou, visibly distraught, expressed his grief as he lamented the loss of his children and the ongoing violence faced by Palestinians. The tragic incident also claimed the lives of his son Shaaban, a 19-year-old university student, and his wife Alaa, 37, who perished in the flames.
Shaaban, described as a young man with aspirations of leaving Gaza and known for his Quranic memorization, would have celebrated his 20th birthday just days after the fatal fire. Al-Dalou, bearing physical scars from the blaze, recounted the harrowing experience of trying to save his loved ones amidst the chaos.
The Israel Defense Forces stated that the airstrike targeted a Hamas command center allegedly located within the hospital complex, sparking outrage and condemnation from the international community.
Al-Dalou's poignant words reflect the profound loss and suffering endured by countless families in conflict-ridden regions. The tragic deaths of Abdul Rahman, Shaaban, and Alaa serve as a stark reminder of the human toll of ongoing hostilities and the urgent need for peace and resolution in the region.
