Israeli Airstrikes Kill Dozens Including Gaza Doctor’s Nine Children

Israeli strikes in Gaza have resulted in significant civilian casualties, including the tragic deaths of nine children from the al-Najjar family in Khan Younis, where pediatrician Alaa al-Najjar lost almost all her children in an airstrike that also severely injured her husband and left one child in critical condition. The Israeli military has acknowledged conducting a strike in the area, targeting suspected militants, but is investigating the claims of civilian harm, while also stating the area was designated a combat zone and civilians were advised to evacuate. Separate strikes across Gaza have killed at least 14 Palestinians, including women and children, with local health officials condemning the attacks amid ongoing conflict marked by Israel's offensive aimed at defeating Hamas and seizing control of Gaza. The incident has been widely condemned internationally, with the UN special rapporteur describing it as part of a "sadistic pattern" and potential war crimes, highlighting the devastating humanitarian impact of the prolonged conflict. Medical personnel in Gaza, overwhelmed and short-staffed, continue to face immense challenges amid relentless bombardment, with many hospitals damaged and medics like a young volunteer medic named Hamza documenting the crisis despite the dangers. These events underscore the severe toll on civilians, especially children, in Gaza amidst the ongoing hostilities and the disputed narratives surrounding responsibility for the casualties.