Tragedy struck in central Gaza as two brothers, one of whom was employed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike. The incident occurred while the brothers were driving a marked aid truck to collect food supplies for displaced individuals in Deir al-Balah.
Mohammad Abu Etewi, a dedicated UNRWA employee with five years of service, and his brother Bilal were on a humanitarian mission when their truck was targeted and hit. The devastating news was relayed to their family members, leaving them in shock and grief.
The father of the deceased brothers, Marwan Abu Etewi, expressed his anguish over the loss, emphasizing that his sons were serving their community and people selflessly. Mohammad, who was driving a UN vehicle to deliver aid, had no involvement in any military activities and was not a combatant.
The heart-wrenching scene at the morgue of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital revealed the extent of the tragedy, with the bodies of the brothers in pieces. The father condemned the airstrike as a heinous crime, lamenting the lack of accountability for such actions.
A spokesperson for UNRWA confirmed the tragic incident, stating that one of their vehicles was directly hit by an Israeli missile, resulting in the loss of one staff member's life. The agency expressed sorrow over the senseless violence that claimed the lives of individuals dedicated to humanitarian work.
The deaths of Mohammad and Bilal Abu Etewi serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict in the region, highlighting the vulnerability of aid workers and civilians caught in the crossfire. The international community has been called upon to address the escalating violence and uphold the principles of humanitarian law to prevent further tragedies.
