Tragic Loss: Gaza Doctor Succumbs to Injuries After Losing Nine Children in Airstrike

Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar's death underscores the ongoing human toll of the conflict in Gaza.

Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar, a 40-year-old Palestinian doctor, tragically passed away on Saturday due to injuries he sustained in an Israeli airstrike on May 23, which also claimed the lives of nine of his children. The incident occurred soon after he had dropped off his wife, Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, at Nasser Hospital, where both practiced medicine. Their residence in Khan Younis was struck, resulting in the deaths of their children, aged from six months to 12 years, and leaving their 11-year-old son, Adam, seriously wounded.

Health officials confirmed Dr. al-Najjar’s death following extensive treatment for critical injuries, including damage to his brain and internal organs. Currently, Alaa and Adam are the only surviving members of the family. Dr. Ali al-Najjar, his brother, described Hamdi as a dedicated father who often treated impoverished patients without charge, highlighting the humanitarian essence of his work in their community.

Mourners gathered in solidarity during his funeral, expressing grief for the family’s profound loss. Dr. Milena Angelova-Chee, a colleague at Nasser Hospital, shared the heavy burden of treating Adam, a child whose life changed in an instant; he now faces multiple severe injuries and trauma. Graeme Groom, a British surgeon, empathized with the striking cruelty of the situation, given Alaa’s dedication as a pediatrician who cared for many children.

In a turn of compassion, Italy's government has responded to urgent pleas for Adam’s transfer to a facility better equipped for his treatment. Dr. Ali al-Najjar has actively sought international assistance, citing the dire conditions in Gaza’s medical facilities. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged ongoing reviews of the airstrike, which they asserted targeted combat zones previously evacuated for civilian safety.

The Biden administration’s recent diplomatic stance regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict has further complicated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 54,418 casualties have been reported during the ongoing military engagement, following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. As chaos continues, aid remains imperative, highlighting the tragic interweaving of personal and geopolitical crises in this conflict-ridden region.