Abdullah Ahmad Abu Teir

December 17, 2019: Abdullah Ahmad Abu Teir (Abu Nasr ), 18, was killed by a missile fired by an Israeli warplane in the southern Gaza Strip.

After the missile was dropped on Abdullah, killing him, the Israeli soldiers took his body away.

Armored Israeli military bulldozers advanced towards the perimeter fence, east of Khan Younis, before the soldiers snatched his corpse and took it away.

Media sources in Gaza said the slain young man has been identified as Abdullah Ahmad Abu Teir (Abu Nasr ), 18, from Abasan al-Kabeera, in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

His father called on international human rights groups to intervene and to secure the transfer of his corpse to his family for proper burial.

The Israeli army claimed that it observed an armed Palestinian near the perimeter fence in the southern Gaza Strip, before instructions were given to an Israeli drone to shoot him.

Eyewitnesses reported that Palestinian ambulances tried several times to reach the youth to save him, but Israeli forces opened fire towards them, preventing them from reaching the site.

They added that Israeli soldiers called on Palestinian ambulances via loudspeakers not move forward, and fired light bombs and announced a state of alert in the area, prior to coming forward with several bulldozers.

His family issued a statement mourning his death on the family Facebook Page.

It is worth mentioning that Abdullah’s brother, Ahmad, was killed by Israeli army fire in the same area in the year 2012.

Abdullah was from the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Source: IMEMC

Mohammad Nassar Al-Nawajaa

November 28th, 2019: Mohammad Nassar Al-Nawajaa, 56, from Yatta city, south of Hebron, was killed and his son Thaer was moderately injured before dawn on Thursday morning after their vehicle was hit by an Israeli military bulldozer in the Farsh Al Hawa area on the road leading to Taqoumia town, west of Hebron.

Israeli forces struck the car while they were exiting the city of Hebron after a massive demolition campaign before dawn on Thursday, killing the father and severely injuring the son.

The slain man and his son were driving to work in Jerusalem when their car was struck by the Israeli bulldozer.

The Israeli military bulldozer that struck their car was returning, along with the army jeeps, to a nearby military base, after demolishing four Palestinian homes in Beit Kahil, north of Hebron.

The demolished homes are owned by the families of four detainees, identified as Hamad Aref Asafra, his brother Qassem Saleh Asafra, in addition to Nasseer Saleh Asafra and Yousef Atiya Zohour.

The Israeli army claims that the four were involved in killing an off-duty soldier, identified as Dvir Sorek, 19, near the illegal Migdal Oz colony, in the occupied West Bank, on August 9th 2019. Israeli sources said Sorek was part of a program that combines Torah studies and military service.

Israeli military vehicles, including the armored Caterpillar D-9 bulldozers, frequently speed through Palestinian areas, and have on numerous occasions killed and injured Palestinian civilians in this way.

Mohammad was from Yatta city, south of Hebron. Source: IMEMC

Sami Abu Diak

November 26, 2019: Sami Abu Diak, 37, died at an Israeli hospital after he was systematically denied specialized medical care, leading to serious complications that resulted in his death.

The Palestinian Detainees’ Committee confirmed, on Tuesday morning, that a detainee identified as Sami Abu Diak, 37, was only moved to Assaf Harofeh Israeli Medical Center after a sharp decline in his health.

It also said that its lawyers filed several appeals with Israeli courts, asking to allow his release to receive specialized medical treatment in Palestine, or abroad, but its requested were all denied.

“Sami was subjected to a deliberate policy denying him the right to adequate medical care,” the committee said, “Despite the serious decline in his health, and the constant complications, he was not provided with the urgently needed specialized care, and was only moved to a hospital when he neared death.”

It is worth mentioning that Sami Abu Diak, 37, was serving three life terms and an additional 30 years in prison.

He was taken prisoner on July 17, 2002, and was first diagnosed with intestinal cancer in August of 2015, and underwent surgery, after the prison authority moved him to Soroka Medical Center, but due to a misdiagnosis and a medical error, he faced serious complications, and some of his intestines were removed.

Abu Diak underwent various surgeries, and suffered further complications, including pulmonary and renal failures, in addition to cancer and skin poisoning, and his condition continued to deteriorate since then.

Before his death, Abu Diak’s final message was:

To those with a living conscience…

I am living my final hours and days, there is nothing I would like more than spending them near my mother; between my loved ones, I would love to utter my last breath in my mother’s arms; I do not wish to die cuffed and shackled,

I do not want to die in front of a jailor who loves death, and feeds on our pain and suffering,

Will my words even reach the ears and minds of leaders?!

I am telling you, if I die far away from my mother, I will never forgive you…

Detainee Sami Abu Diak

Sami was from Sielet ath-Thaher town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin. Source: IMEMC

Mohammad Salama Sawarka

November 22, 2019: Mohammad Salama Sawarka, 40, died from serious wounds he suffered when Israeli soldiers fired a missile at the family home, on November 14th, 2019, killing eight family members, including five children.

The health Ministry identified the slain Palestinian man as Mohammad Salama Sawarka, 40; he was seriously injured at dawn on Thursday, November 14th, when the army fired a missile at the family home, in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

Mohammad’s two children, Moath, 7, and Waseem, 23, were instantly killed. The missiles led to the death of eight members of his family, including five children and one woman. The Israeli army later alleged it “fired the missile at the home by mistake.”

Only one toddler survived the Israeli attack and was found shielded by her slain brother. She was identified as Farah Rasmi Salem Al Sawarka, sister to Mohannad, 12, Salem, 3, and Firas, 2, who were killed, and the youngest child of Rasmi Salem al-Sawarka, 45, and Mariam Sawarka, 45. Both parents were also killed.

At least twelve Palestinians were injured, including some who suffered life-threatening wounds. Mohammad was from Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza Strip. Source: IMEMC

Mohannad Rasmi Salem Sawarka

November 14, 2019: Mohannad Rasmi Salem Nasser Sawarka, 12, was killed along with his parents and two little brothers, as well as his aunt and two cousins, by an Israeli missile strike that hit their family home on Thursday at dawn.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that Israeli missiles targeted a Palestinian home in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, killing eight members of the same family, and wounding thirteen others.

The Health Ministry stated that Israeli F16 war jets fired missiles into a home in Deir al-Balah, killing eight family members, and wounding at least thirteen others, most of them women and children.

The remains of two more children were found under the rubble after a lengthy search for survivors.

Mohannad’s best friend Mohammed Mehsen, 14, said to reporters with Middle East Eye at his funeral, “We heard the massive explosion at midnight and immediately rushed to their house. I was shocked. Muhannad’s house completely disappeared, as if it had never been there.”

Although Muhannad was two years younger than Mohammed, he was his “closest friend”.

“I knew Muhannad since we were in kindergarten, we were friends and neighbours, and used to go to school together,” the boy said.

“Muhannad and I used to play with our bicycles every day after school, but when it got dark at night, we loved to play hide and seek,” he smiled. “He loved animals and especially dogs, he always wanted to adopt one”

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) has reported that the slain Sawarka (Abu Malhous) family has been officially identified as:

  1. Rasmi Salem Odah Sawarka, 45.
  2. Mariam Salem Nasser Sawarka, 45.
  3. Mohannad Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 12.
  4. Firas Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 2.
  5.  Salem Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 3.
  6.  Moath Mohammad Salem Sawarka, 7.
  7. Waseem Mohammad Salem Sawarka, 13.
  8. Yosra Mohammad Awwad Sawarka, 39.

Only one toddler survived the Israeli attack and was found shielded by her slain brother. She was identified as Farah Rasmi Salem Al Sawarka, sister to Mohannad, 12, Salem, 3, and Firas, 2, who were killed, and the youngest child of Rasmi Salem al-Sawarka, 45, and Mariam Sawarka. Both parents were also killed. Farah is the only surviving family member. Her uncle, Mohammad, also survived the attack with severe injuries, but his wife and two children – Moath, 7, and Waseem, 13, were killed.

The slain and injured Palestinians were moved to the al-Aqsa hospital, while medics and rescue teams started a search campaign, looking for more Palestinians who might be buried under the rubble.

In related news, a six-month pregnant woman, identified as Iman Abu Tayyim, suffered a miscarriage in a severe anxiety attack after the soldiers fired missiles near her home, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

The escalation on the Gaza Strip started when Israel assassinated a senior leader of the Islamic Jihad, identified as Baha’ Abu al-‘Ata, when the soldiers dropped a missile on his home, killing him along with his wife, Asma’, also wounding many members of their family, in addition to a female neighbor, in the Sheja’eyya area, east of Gaza city.

Israeli missiles and shells have caused a power blackout after striking main powerlines and transformers, especially in Gaza city and the northern parts of the coastal region, including Jabalia and Beit Lahia.

The deaths of the 8 family members bring the total number of casualties in the three days of Israeli aggression against Gaza to 34. More than 100 have been wounded. Among the wounded are at least 30 children and 13 women. No Israelis have been killed or wounded.

Just after the family was killed, a ceasefire went into effect at 5:30 am on Thursday morning.

Mohannad was from Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza. Source: IMEMC

Moath Mohammad Sawarka

November 14, 2019: Moath Mohammad Salem Sawarka, 7, was killed along with his little brother, his uncle and aunt, and three of his first cousins, in an Israeli missile strike that hit their family home on Thursday at dawn.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that Israeli missiles targeted a Palestinian home in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, killing eight members of the same family, and wounding thirteen others.

The Health Ministry stated that Israeli F16 war jets fired missiles into a home in Deir al-Balah, killing eight family members, and wounding at least thirteen others, most of them women and children.

The remains of two more children were found under the rubble after a lengthy search for survivors.

Mohannad’s best friend Mohammad Mehsen, 14, said to reporters with Middle East Eye at his funeral, “We heard the massive explosion at midnight and immediately rushed to their house. I was shocked. Muhannad’s house completely disappeared, as if it had never been there.”

Although Mohannad was two years younger than Mohammad, he was his “closest friend”.

“I knew Mohannad since we were in kindergarten, we were friends and neighbours, and used to go to school together,” the boy said.

“Mohannad and I used to play with our bicycles every day after school, but when it got dark at night, we loved to play hide and seek,” he smiled. “He loved animals and especially dogs, he always wanted to adopt one”

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) has reported that the slain Sawarka (Abu Malhous) family has been officially identified as:

  1. Rasmi Salem Odah Sawarka, 45.
  2. Mariam Salem Nasser Sawarka, 45.
  3. Mohannad Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 12.
  4. Firas Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 2.
  5.  Salem Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 3.
  6.  Moath Mohammad Salem Sawarka, 7.
  7. Waseem Mohammad Salem Sawarka, 13.
  8. Yosra Mohammad Awwad Sawarka, 39.

Only one toddler survived the Israeli attack and was found shielded by her slain brother. She was identified as Farah Rasmi Salem Al Sawarka, sister to Mohannad, 12, Salem, 3, and Firas, 2, who were killed, and the youngest child of Rasmi Salem al-Sawarka, 45, and Mariam Sawarka. Both parents were also killed. Farah is the only surviving family member. Her uncle, Mohammad, also survived the attack with severe injuries, but his wife and two children – Moath, 7, and Waseem, 13, were killed.

The slain and injured Palestinians were moved to the al-Aqsa hospital, while medics and rescue teams started a search campaign, looking for more Palestinians who might be buried under the rubble.

In related news, a six-month pregnant woman, identified as Iman Abu Tayyim, suffered a miscarriage in a severe anxiety attack after the soldiers fired missiles near her home, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

The escalation on the Gaza Strip started when Israel assassinated a senior leader of the Islamic Jihad, identified as Baha’ Abu al-‘Ata, when the soldiers dropped a missile on his home, killing him along with his wife, Asma’, also wounding many members of their family, in addition to a female neighbor, in the Sheja’eyya area, east of Gaza city.

Israeli missiles and shells have caused a power blackout after striking main powerlines and transformers, especially in Gaza city and the northern parts of the coastal region, including Jabalia and Beit Lahia.

The deaths of the 8 family members bring the total number of casualties in the three days of Israeli aggression against Gaza to 34. More than 100 have been wounded. Among the wounded are at least 30 children and 13 women. No Israelis have been killed or wounded.

Just after the family was killed, a ceasefire went into effect at 5:30 am on Thursday morning.

Moath was from Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza. Source: IMEMC

Waseem Mohammad Sawarka

November 14, 2019: Waseem Mohammad Salem Sawarka, 13, was killed along with his little brother, his uncle and aunt, and three of his first cousins, in an Israeli missile strike that hit their family home on Thursday at dawn.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that Israeli missiles targeted a Palestinian home in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, killing eight members of the same family, and wounding thirteen others.

The Health Ministry stated that Israeli F16 war jets fired missiles into a home in Deir al-Balah, killing eight family members, and wounding at least thirteen others, most of them women and children.

The remains of two more children were found under the rubble after a lengthy search for survivors.

Mohannad’s best friend Mohammad Mehsen, 14, said to reporters with Middle East Eye at his funeral, “We heard the massive explosion at midnight and immediately rushed to their house. I was shocked. Muhannad’s house completely disappeared, as if it had never been there.”

Although Mohannad was two years younger than Mohammad, he was his “closest friend”.

“I knew Mohannad since we were in kindergarten, we were friends and neighbours, and used to go to school together,” the boy said.

“Mohannad and I used to play with our bicycles every day after school, but when it got dark at night, we loved to play hide and seek,” he smiled. “He loved animals and especially dogs, he always wanted to adopt one”

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) has reported that the slain Sawarka (Abu Malhous) family has been officially identified as:

  1. Rasmi Salem Odah Sawarka, 45.
  2. Mariam Salem Nasser Sawarka, 45.
  3. Mohannad Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 12.
  4. Firas Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 2.
  5.  Salem Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 3.
  6.  Moath Mohammad Salem Sawarka, 7.
  7. Waseem Mohammad Salem Sawarka, 13.
  8. Yosra Mohammad Awwad Sawarka, 39.

Only one toddler survived the Israeli attack and was found shielded by her slain brother. She was identified as Farah Rasmi Salem Al Sawarka, sister to Mohannad, 12, Salem, 3, and Firas, 2, who were killed, and the youngest child of Rasmi Salem al-Sawarka, 45, and Mariam Sawarka. Both parents were also killed. Farah is the only surviving family member. Her uncle, Mohammad, also survived the attack with severe injuries, but his wife and two children – Moath, 7, and Waseem, 13, were killed.

The slain and injured Palestinians were moved to the al-Aqsa hospital, while medics and rescue teams started a search campaign, looking for more Palestinians who might be buried under the rubble.

In related news, a six-month pregnant woman, identified as Iman Abu Tayyim, suffered a miscarriage in a severe anxiety attack after the soldiers fired missiles near her home, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

The escalation on the Gaza Strip started when Israel assassinated a senior leader of the Islamic Jihad, identified as Baha’ Abu al-‘Ata, when the soldiers dropped a missile on his home, killing him along with his wife, Asma’, also wounding many members of their family, in addition to a female neighbor, in the Sheja’eyya area, east of Gaza city.

Israeli missiles and shells have caused a power blackout after striking main powerlines and transformers, especially in Gaza city and the northern parts of the coastal region, including Jabalia and Beit Lahia.

The deaths of the 8 family members bring the total number of casualties in the three days of Israeli aggression against Gaza to 34. More than 100 have been wounded. Among the wounded are at least 30 children and 13 women. No Israelis have been killed or wounded.

Just after the family was killed, a ceasefire went into effect at 5:30 am on Thursday morning.

Waseem was from Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza. Source: IMEMC

Yosra Mohammad Awwad Sawarka

November 14, 2019: Yosra Mohammad Awwad Sawarka, 39, was killed along with two of her small children, her brother-in-law, his wife, and three of their children in an Israeli missile strike that hit their family home on Thursday at dawn.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that Israeli missiles targeted a Palestinian home in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, killing eight members of the same family, and wounding thirteen others.

The Health Ministry stated that Israeli F16 war jets fired missiles into a home in Deir al-Balah, killing eight family members, and wounding at least thirteen others, most of them women and children.

The remains of two more children were found under the rubble after a lengthy search for survivors.

Mohannad’s best friend Mohammad Mehsen, 14, said to reporters with Middle East Eye at his funeral, “We heard the massive explosion at midnight and immediately rushed to their house. I was shocked. Muhannad’s house completely disappeared, as if it had never been there.”

Although Mohannad was two years younger than Mohammad, he was his “closest friend”.

“I knew Mohannad since we were in kindergarten, we were friends and neighbours, and used to go to school together,” the boy said.

“Mohannad and I used to play with our bicycles every day after school, but when it got dark at night, we loved to play hide and seek,” he smiled. “He loved animals and especially dogs, he always wanted to adopt one”

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) has reported that the slain Sawarka (Abu Malhous) family has been officially identified as:

  1. Rasmi Salem Odah Sawarka, 45.
  2. Mariam Salem Nasser Sawarka, 45.
  3. Mohannad Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 12.
  4. Firas Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 2.
  5.  Salem Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 3.
  6.  Moath Mohammad Salem Sawarka, 7.
  7. Waseem Mohammad Salem Sawarka, 13.
  8. Yosra Mohammad Awwad Sawarka, 39.

Only one toddler survived the Israeli attack and was found shielded by her slain brother. She was identified as Farah Rasmi Salem Al Sawarka, sister to Mohannad, 12, Salem, 3, and Firas, 2, who were killed, and the youngest child of Rasmi Salem al-Sawarka, 45, and Mariam Sawarka. Both parents were also killed. Farah is the only surviving family member. Her uncle, Mohammad, also survived the attack with severe injuries, but his wife and two children – Moath, 7, and Waseem, 13, were killed.

The slain and injured Palestinians were moved to the al-Aqsa hospital, while medics and rescue teams started a search campaign, looking for more Palestinians who might be buried under the rubble.

In related news, a six-month pregnant woman, identified as Iman Abu Tayyim, suffered a miscarriage in a severe anxiety attack after the soldiers fired missiles near her home, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

The escalation on the Gaza Strip started when Israel assassinated a senior leader of the Islamic Jihad, identified as Baha’ Abu al-‘Ata, when the soldiers dropped a missile on his home, killing him along with his wife, Asma’, also wounding many members of their family, in addition to a female neighbor, in the Sheja’eyya area, east of Gaza city.

Israeli missiles and shells have caused a power blackout after striking main powerlines and transformers, especially in Gaza city and the northern parts of the coastal region, including Jabalia and Beit Lahia.

The deaths of the 8 family members bring the total number of casualties in the three days of Israeli aggression against Gaza to 34. More than 100 have been wounded. Among the wounded are at least 30 children and 13 women. No Israelis have been killed or wounded.

Just after the family was killed, a ceasefire went into effect at 5:30 am on Thursday morning.

Yosra was from Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza. Source: IMEMC

Firas Rasmi Salem Sawarka

November 14, 2019: Firas Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 2, was killed along with his parents and two older brothers, as well as his aunt and two cousins, by an Israeli missile strike that hit their family home on Thursday at dawn.

His little sister, an infant, survived while shielded by her brother’s body. When the bodies were recovered from the rubble by rescue workers, the workers who saved the baby thought that it seemed her brothers died trying to protect her from harm.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that Israeli missiles targeted a Palestinian home in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, killing eight members of the same family, and wounding thirteen others.

The Health Ministry stated that Israeli F16 war jets fired missiles into a home in Deir al-Balah, killing eight family members, and wounding at least thirteen others, most of them women and children.

The remains of two more children were found under the rubble after a lengthy search for survivors.

Mohannad’s best friend Mohammed Mehsen, 14, said to reporters with Middle East Eye at his funeral, “We heard the massive explosion at midnight and immediately rushed to their house. I was shocked. Muhannad’s house completely disappeared, as if it had never been there.”

Although Muhannad was two years younger than Mohammed, he was his “closest friend”.

“I knew Muhannad since we were in kindergarten, we were friends and neighbours, and used to go to school together,” the boy said.

“Muhannad and I used to play with our bicycles every day after school, but when it got dark at night, we loved to play hide and seek,” he smiled. “He loved animals and especially dogs, he always wanted to adopt one”

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) has reported that the slain Sawarka (Abu Malhous) family has been officially identified as:

  1. Rasmi Salem Odah Sawarka, 45.
  2. Mariam Salem Nasser Sawarka, 45.
  3. Mohannad Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 12.
  4. Firas Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 2.
  5.  Salem Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 3.
  6.  Moath Mohammad Salem Sawarka, 7.
  7. Waseem Mohammad Salem Sawarka, 13.
  8. Yosra Mohammad Awwad Sawarka, 39.

Only one toddler survived the Israeli attack and was found shielded by her slain brother. She was identified as Farah Rasmi Salem Al Sawarka, sister to Mohannad, 12, Salem, 3, and Firas, 2, who were killed, and the youngest child of Rasmi Salem al-Sawarka, 45, and Mariam Sawarka. Both parents were also killed. Farah is the only surviving family member. Her uncle, Mohammad, also survived the attack with severe injuries, but his wife and two children – Moath, 7, and Waseem, 13, were killed.

The slain and injured Palestinians were moved to the al-Aqsa hospital, while medics and rescue teams started a search campaign, looking for more Palestinians who might be buried under the rubble.

In related news, a six-month pregnant woman, identified as Iman Abu Tayyim, suffered a miscarriage in a severe anxiety attack after the soldiers fired missiles near her home, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

The escalation on the Gaza Strip started when Israel assassinated a senior leader of the Islamic Jihad, identified as Baha’ Abu al-‘Ata, when the soldiers dropped a missile on his home, killing him along with his wife, Asma’, also wounding many members of their family, in addition to a female neighbor, in the Sheja’eyya area, east of Gaza city.

Israeli missiles and shells have caused a power blackout after striking main powerlines and transformers, especially in Gaza city and the northern parts of the coastal region, including Jabalia and Beit Lahia.

The deaths of the 8 family members bring the total number of casualties in the three days of Israeli aggression against Gaza to 34. More than 100 have been wounded. Among the wounded are at least 30 children and 13 women. No Israelis have been killed or wounded.

Just after the family was killed, a ceasefire went into effect at 5:30 am on Thursday morning.

Firas was from Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza. Source: IMEMC

Salem Rasmi Salem Sawarka

November 14, 2019: Salem Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 3, was killed along with his parents and two older brothers, as well as his aunt and two cousins, by an Israeli missile strike that hit their family home on Thursday at dawn.

His little sister, an infant, survived while shielded by her brother’s body. When the bodies were recovered from the rubble by rescue workers, the workers who saved the baby thought that it seemed her brothers died trying to protect her from harm.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that Israeli missiles targeted a Palestinian home in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, killing eight members of the same family, and wounding thirteen others.

The Health Ministry stated that Israeli F16 war jets fired missiles into a home in Deir al-Balah, killing eight family members, and wounding at least thirteen others, most of them women and children.

The remains of two more children were found under the rubble after a lengthy search for survivors.

Mohannad’s best friend Mohammed Mehsen, 14, said to reporters with Middle East Eye at his funeral, “We heard the massive explosion at midnight and immediately rushed to their house. I was shocked. Muhannad’s house completely disappeared, as if it had never been there.”

Although Muhannad was two years younger than Mohammed, he was his “closest friend”.

“I knew Muhannad since we were in kindergarten, we were friends and neighbours, and used to go to school together,” the boy said.

“Muhannad and I used to play with our bicycles every day after school, but when it got dark at night, we loved to play hide and seek,” he smiled. “He loved animals and especially dogs, he always wanted to adopt one”

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) has reported that the slain Sawarka (Abu Malhous) family has been officially identified as:

  1. Rasmi Salem Odah Sawarka, 45.
  2. Mariam Salem Nasser Sawarka, 45.
  3. Mohannad Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 12.
  4. Firas Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 2.
  5.  Salem Rasmi Salem Sawarka, 3.
  6.  Moath Mohammad Salem Sawarka, 7.
  7. Waseem Mohammad Salem Sawarka, 13.
  8. Yosra Mohammad Awwad Sawarka, 39.

Only one toddler survived the Israeli attack and was found shielded by her slain brother. She was identified as Farah Rasmi Salem Al Sawarka, sister to Mohannad, 12, Salem, 3, and Firas, 2, who were killed, and the youngest child of Rasmi Salem al-Sawarka, 45, and Mariam Sawarka. Both parents were also killed. Farah is the only surviving family member. Her uncle, Mohammad, also survived the attack with severe injuries, but his wife and two children – Moath, 7, and Waseem, 13, were killed.

The slain and injured Palestinians were moved to the al-Aqsa hospital, while medics and rescue teams started a search campaign, looking for more Palestinians who might be buried under the rubble.

In related news, a six-month pregnant woman, identified as Iman Abu Tayyim, suffered a miscarriage in a severe anxiety attack after the soldiers fired missiles near her home, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

The escalation on the Gaza Strip started when Israel assassinated a senior leader of the Islamic Jihad, identified as Baha’ Abu al-‘Ata, when the soldiers dropped a missile on his home, killing him along with his wife, Asma’, also wounding many members of their family, in addition to a female neighbor, in the Sheja’eyya area, east of Gaza city.

Israeli missiles and shells have caused a power blackout after striking main powerlines and transformers, especially in Gaza city and the northern parts of the coastal region, including Jabalia and Beit Lahia.

The deaths of the 8 family members bring the total number of casualties in the three days of Israeli aggression against Gaza to 34. More than 100 have been wounded. Among the wounded are at least 30 children and 13 women. No Israelis have been killed or wounded.

Just after the family was killed, a ceasefire went into effect at 5:30 am on Thursday morning.

Salem was from Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza. Source: IMEMC