In the war in Gaza, over 80 members of a family have been “wiped out” due to Israeli bombardment over a period of nearly seven weeks. Sahar Awwad, along with her two nephews, are among the few survivors. The family had sought refuge in a hospital in Khan Yunis and then in a school in Rafah near the border with Egypt. However, their home in Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighborhood was hit by a strike last Friday, resulting in the deaths of more than 80 family members. Awwad and the other survivors attempted to extract the dead and wounded from the debris, but a second strike by Israel prevented them from reaching those trapped under the rubble.
Awwad’s nephew, Mossaab, had his leg amputated and his face is scarred. His cousin, Abboud, has an IV drip protruding from his abdomen. Only their father survived, as they were already being treated in the hospital when their home was struck.
Awwad’s older brother and his entire family, as well as her sister and her children, have also perished in the war. Some of their other relatives have survived because they had already fled. This family is just one among many that have been devastated by the Israeli bombardment and siege on the Palestinian territory.
The Israeli military campaign was in response to Hamas’ attacks on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. During their journey south, Awwad’s son, Mohammed, was detained by the Israeli military and subjected to torture. While he has since been released, he remains in a terrible condition.
Some members of the family have remained in Gaza City, refusing to flee until they can find and bury their loved ones. Fida Zayed, who had her first son at the age of 13, lost her son Udai in a heavy airstrike. She had hoped he would be able to attend the Palestinian Authority’s military academy but tragically, he became a martyr.
The pain and grief in Gaza are overwhelming, with many families suffering unimaginable losses. The story of the Awwad family is a heartbreaking example of the devastating impact of the war.
