Israeli Airstrike Claims Lives of Doctor's Children Amid Escalating Conflict

In a devastating incident that has left a family shattered, an Israeli airstrike reportedly killed at least seven children belonging to pediatric physician Alaa al-Najjar on Friday in Khan Younis, Gaza. The strike also injured her husband, Hamdi al-Najjar, who sustained burns and shrapnel wounds during the attack. As emergency workers retrieved the bodies, two of the Najjar children remained unaccounted for, presumed trapped beneath the debris of their home. This incident marks the latest surge in violence following over 18 months of sustained conflict between Israel and Hamas, prompting fears of a more intense military offensive.

The airstrike occurred shortly after midday and caused significant destruction in an area that had already been vulnerable. Residents reported hearing a loud explosion, and reports indicate that a nearby building's storage of car tires led to a fire that spread rapidly to the Najjar residence. A family member noted, "We had pulled out three charred bodies and were pulling out the fourth when she recognized them immediately." The Israeli military is currently investigating the incident to determine if civilians were unintentionally harmed as they ramp up their military efforts against Hamas in a region already reeling from war.