'Israeli' army responds after killing nine children of Gazan doctor

An 'Israeli' airstrike early Saturday morning killed nine children from a single family in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, in what is being described as one of the most harrowing massacres since the start of the war.

The victims were the children of Dr. Alaa Al-Najjar, a pediatrician at Nasser Hospital. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, the strike destroyed the family’s home, setting it ablaze and burning most of the victims beyond recognition. Some of the children identified include Yahya, Rakan, Raslan, Gibran, Eve, Rivan, and Sadin. Their father was injured, and Dr. Al-Najjar suffered a nervous breakdown upon learning of the tragedy.

The 'Israeli' military claimed the strike targeted “a building sheltering suspects near our forces” in a “combat zone,” and said it was investigating reports of civilian casualties.

Read more: Gazan doctor loses nine children in 'Israeli' airstrike

Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, Director General of Gaza’s Health Ministry, confirmed that all victims were siblings. “Dr. Alaa was treating Gaza’s children, and today, she lost all nine of her own,” he said.

Khan Younis has witnessed weeks of heavy 'Israeli' bombardment as part of a broader offensive that has led to hundreds of civilian deaths, especially among women and children. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate rapidly, while international calls to end the war have failed to offer protection for civilians.