Killed in one day in Gaza: Palestinian-American family mourns the loss of 42 relatives

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The Israeli campaign against Hamas in the densely populated Gaza Strip is also costing thousands of civilian lives. The American news channel CNN reports on a Palestinian-American family that faces a particularly heavy blow of fate: in one day, 42 family members were killed in bombings in the Gaza Strip.

Tariq Hamouda and his wife Manal live in the American state of Minnesota. Just over a week ago, they learned of the tragedy that occurred at Manal’s family compound in the Sheikh Ejleen neighborhood of Gaza City. The two are still stunned. Hamouda says his wife, whose maiden name is Saqallah, lost four brothers, a sister and most of their children when two explosions destroyed two of the family’s homes on October 19.

“Have nothing to do with it”

Hamouda says his mother-in-law was on a balcony when the first of the suspected Israeli attacks took place. She was able to escape thanks to the help of a family member who also survived. A second attack completely destroyed the facility.

“My mother-in-law said her sons tried to escape but they ran out of time,” said Hamouda, adding that his family is not involved in militant activities and “has nothing to do with it.”

The uncle and his family had already fled

In South Florida, Manal’s cousin Eyad Abu Shaban is just as desperate. “It’s like your whole world stops,” he says. “It’s not about one, two, three or four. There are 42 family members, which is really difficult to deal with.” Abu Shaban says the dead were between three months and 77 years old. His uncle and his family were also among the victims. To avoid Israeli airstrikes, they evacuated the nearby Tel El Hawa neighborhood and took refuge in the Saqallahs’ home.

Abu Shaban, a real estate developer from Boca Raton, also emphasizes that his family consists exclusively of civilians. His family members are also said to include numerous medical professionals.

2.2 million cannot escape

Israel declared war on Hamas on October 7 after the militant group killed more than 1,400 people, including civilians and soldiers, and kidnapped more than 220 others in Israel, according to Israeli authorities. In response to the massacre, Israel launched numerous airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and sent tanks and ground troops.

The borders with the Gaza Strip are closed. The 2.2 million Palestinians who live there cannot escape. Although the Israeli campaign is officially aimed at Hamas, the civilian population is also caught in the crossfire. At least 8,485 Palestinians have been killed and more than 21,000 others injured since the war broke out, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the West Bank. (no)

Source: Blick