The article highlights the tragic incident where Mahmoud Abdul Rahman's son, Abdullah, and others were killed by an Israeli airstrike as they queued for water in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Mahmoud's heart-wrenching account stresses the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, worsened by war and blockades, as well as the devastating impact on children and families trying to survive.
Gaza Father’s Heartbreak After Son Killed While Searching for Water
Gaza Father’s Heartbreak After Son Killed While Searching for Water
A father expresses his grief after his son dies in an Israeli airstrike while seeking water in Gaza's Nuseirat camp.
14 hours ago
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David Gritten
BBC News Reporting from Jerusalem
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Reuters
In a heartbreaking account of loss, Mahmoud Abdul Rahman Ahmed recounted the day his son, Abdullah, was killed while searching for water at a distribution point in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza. This incident on Sunday morning resulted in the deaths of ten individuals, including six young children. Mahmoud described the area as populated by displaced families, many struggling under the weight of ongoing conflict and restrictions.
"Children stood in line, some with empty bellies and parched lips, desperately hoping for water," he said in his emotional plea to a local journalist affiliated with the BBC. Just moments after the children gathered, Israeli warplanes targeted the area, striking without warning. In graphic footage verified by the BBC, moments after the attack depicted chaos, as survivors and officials rushed to assist the injured and those trapped under rubble.
According to Al-Awda hospital in Nuseirat, six children were among the deceased, with names including Badr al-Din Qaraman and Lana Ashraf al-Ghussein. The Israeli military admitted to a "technical error" in the strike aimed at a suspected Palestinian Islamic Jihad member, leading to the unintended casualties. They claimed to regret the losses of innocent lives.
Nonetheless, Mahmoud argued that this act was a deliberate intimidation tactic employed by Israel, aiming to restrict access to even the basic necessity of water. He mourned the dreams of Abdullah and his friends, who merely aspired for normal childhood experiences, stripped away by violence.
The tragic death of these children highlights the escalating water crisis in Gaza, compounded by fuel shortages affecting sanitation and distribution systems. According to the UN, many residents are left with insufficient water, receiving below the emergency standard of 15 liters per day. Sam Rose, the acting Gaza director for the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, underscored the tragedy, noting that each day sees the fatalities of many children caught in the crossfire.
Previous instances of similar incidents have raised critical alarms worldwide. Last week, Israeli strikes resulted in the deaths of 10 children and three women waiting for aid—reflecting the ongoing peril faced by civilians. The executive director of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, called for a reassessment of military rules to safeguard innocent lives amidst conflict.
Amid these ongoing disputes, the UN Security Council is set to address the implications of the war on children in Gaza. In contrast, the Israeli representative downplayed his nation's accountability, asserting that Hamas was the true perpetrator of civilian suffering.
Echoing the calls for peace, Mahmoud insisted that the international community must shift its focus towards Israel's actions to halt the ongoing turmoil in Gaza. "We are the victims here," he stated emphatically, emphasizing the need for an end to the war and the bloodshed affecting families across Gaza.
Share
David Gritten
BBC News Reporting from Jerusalem
Share
Reuters
In a heartbreaking account of loss, Mahmoud Abdul Rahman Ahmed recounted the day his son, Abdullah, was killed while searching for water at a distribution point in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza. This incident on Sunday morning resulted in the deaths of ten individuals, including six young children. Mahmoud described the area as populated by displaced families, many struggling under the weight of ongoing conflict and restrictions.
"Children stood in line, some with empty bellies and parched lips, desperately hoping for water," he said in his emotional plea to a local journalist affiliated with the BBC. Just moments after the children gathered, Israeli warplanes targeted the area, striking without warning. In graphic footage verified by the BBC, moments after the attack depicted chaos, as survivors and officials rushed to assist the injured and those trapped under rubble.
According to Al-Awda hospital in Nuseirat, six children were among the deceased, with names including Badr al-Din Qaraman and Lana Ashraf al-Ghussein. The Israeli military admitted to a "technical error" in the strike aimed at a suspected Palestinian Islamic Jihad member, leading to the unintended casualties. They claimed to regret the losses of innocent lives.
Nonetheless, Mahmoud argued that this act was a deliberate intimidation tactic employed by Israel, aiming to restrict access to even the basic necessity of water. He mourned the dreams of Abdullah and his friends, who merely aspired for normal childhood experiences, stripped away by violence.
The tragic death of these children highlights the escalating water crisis in Gaza, compounded by fuel shortages affecting sanitation and distribution systems. According to the UN, many residents are left with insufficient water, receiving below the emergency standard of 15 liters per day. Sam Rose, the acting Gaza director for the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, underscored the tragedy, noting that each day sees the fatalities of many children caught in the crossfire.
Previous instances of similar incidents have raised critical alarms worldwide. Last week, Israeli strikes resulted in the deaths of 10 children and three women waiting for aid—reflecting the ongoing peril faced by civilians. The executive director of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, called for a reassessment of military rules to safeguard innocent lives amidst conflict.
Amid these ongoing disputes, the UN Security Council is set to address the implications of the war on children in Gaza. In contrast, the Israeli representative downplayed his nation's accountability, asserting that Hamas was the true perpetrator of civilian suffering.
Echoing the calls for peace, Mahmoud insisted that the international community must shift its focus towards Israel's actions to halt the ongoing turmoil in Gaza. "We are the victims here," he stated emphatically, emphasizing the need for an end to the war and the bloodshed affecting families across Gaza.
