Gaza: Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, a pediatrician working in the emergency room at Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza, suffered an unimaginable personal tragedy on Friday.
While fulfilling her duties at the hospital, her home in Khan Younis was struck by an Israeli airstrike, killing nine of her ten children, according to Gaza’s Civil Defense and Health Ministry.
The children, ranging in age from 7 months to 12 years old, were among the victims brought to the hospital where Dr. Najjar was working. Seven of them arrived at the facility severely burned. Two younger children—aged two years and seven months—were still trapped under the rubble as of Saturday morning.
Only one child, 11-year-old Adam, survived the strike but remains in critical condition. Dr. Najjar's husband, also a physician, sustained serious injuries and is currently in intensive care.
Footage released by Gaza Civil Defense depicted a grim scene: flames engulfing the home, emergency responders battling the blaze, and the recovery of the children’s remains from the debris. The children were identified as Yahya, Rakan, Raslan, Gebran, Eve, Rival, Sayden, Luqman, and Sidra.
Health officials say Dr. Najjar’s husband had just returned home moments before the strike. Dr. Munir al-Barsh, Director-General of the Health Ministry in Gaza, mourned the loss, highlighting the profound burden borne by healthcare workers in the enclave. “This is the harsh reality for our medical staff in Gaza,” he said, noting that entire families continue to be wiped out.
Despite the devastating loss, Dr. Najjar has remained at her post, caring for patients while intermittently checking on her injured husband and son, both of whom have undergone multiple surgeries.
Her colleague, Dr. Ahmad al-Farra, described her resilience as “unfathomable.” Youssef Abu al-Reesh, a senior health ministry official, recalled finding her composed and steadfast in her faith, quietly praying amidst the heartbreak.
Dr. Najjar, 38, has been treating children amid the escalating humanitarian crisis, like many medical professionals in Gaza, who have had to take on emergency roles as the conflict intensifies.
