The director of Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza, Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, experienced unimaginable grief while on duty. An Israeli airstrike destroyed his family home in the Al Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, killing six of his relatives: his brother, two of his brother's sons, his nephew's wife, and two of their children. Seven others, including his sister, niece, and nephews, were injured in the attack. The horrifying scene unfolded as multiple generations of his family lived together in the targeted home.
Dr. Abu Salmiya received the bodies of his slain family members at the very hospital he directs, a stark and heartbreaking juxtaposition. A video shared by the Director General of Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, shows the grief-stricken doctor kneeling beside the remains, still in his scrubs, a powerful visual testament to the devastating impact of the conflict. Dr. Al-Bursh expressed his condolences, conveying the profound sorrow felt across Gaza.
Gaza's civil defense reported rescuing four injured individuals and recovering three bodies from the rubble. Search efforts continue to locate one person still missing under the debris.
This tragedy underscores the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Tens of thousands are fleeing Gaza City amidst Israel's ongoing military operation, which has included the destruction of high-rise buildings. Israel maintains that Gaza City remains a Hamas stronghold, while Hamas continues to hold Israeli hostages. The IDF reported striking over 120 "terrorist targets" and claims to have eliminated more than 30 terrorists and uncovered weapons caches. They also assert they are creating a corridor for civilian evacuation.
However, disturbing videos shared on social media and verified by CNN depict the aftermath of an airstrike hitting a truck carrying displaced people, further highlighting the immense suffering inflicted on the civilian population. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported at least 90 deaths in Gaza City on that day alone, and the overall death toll since October 7, 2023, exceeds 65,200, according to the ministry. The UN has warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis, with famine declared in some parts of Gaza. An independent UN inquiry recently concluded that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, a claim Israel vehemently denies. The situation remains deeply volatile and fraught with immense human suffering.
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Originally published at: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/20/middleeast/gaza-hospital-director-receives-bodies-of-relatives-intl
