July 23, 2014: Helmi Mohammad Abu Rjela, 67, was killed by Israeli soldiers who fired three missiles at his home, east of Khuza’a town, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, completely destroying it, and also killing his son, Abbas, 19, and daughter, Nahed, 38.
Helmi was buried under the rubble of his house amidst extensive Israeli bombardment and ground invasions into the Gaza Strip, during “Operation Defensive Shield” Israeli war, and the soldiers refused to allow Palestinian medics and rescue teams into the area.
The extensive Israeli bombardment destroyed dozens of homes, and his body was found under the rubble on August 3, while his son’s corpse was found on August 11.
His neighbors managed to rescue his wife, Siham, 57, and their daughter, Nahed, 38, but were unable to transfer them out of the town until the next day, due to the Israeli ground invasion. Nahed, was referred to a hospital in Egypt four days after the attack, but died from her serious wounds, on August 04, 2014.
The extensive Israeli bombardment and shelling into various parts of the Gaza Strip, led to the death of at least 62 Palestinians that day alone. Helmi was from Khan Younis. Source: Mezan Center for Human Rights