Additional Coverage:
Tragic Loss in Gaza: Family Burned Alive in Israeli Strike
Ahmed al-Dalou is devastated after losing his wife and two sons in an Israeli strike that set their tent ablaze in Gaza. The Israeli military claims it targeted a Hamas command center, but Hamas denies operating in hospitals.
Ahmed’s son Abdulrahman endured four days of agony before succumbing to his injuries. His older brother Sha’aban and their mother died instantly. Sha’aban’s haunting image, writhing in flames, has gone viral.
Ahmed is consumed by grief and anger. He accuses the Israeli pilot and leaders of breaking his heart and spirit. The strike, which occurred at night, killed four people and injured dozens more with severe burns.
The White House has expressed concern about civilian casualties, while the US and other powers have consistently voiced concerns. Despite international attention, civilians continue to be killed and maimed in the ongoing conflict.
In the midst of the tragedy, the story of the al-Dalou family has emerged through the efforts of local journalists. Sha’aban’s own videos and photos reveal him as an articulate, intelligent teenager who dreamed of a better life outside Gaza.
Ahmed’s surviving son Mohammed witnessed the horror unfold. He tried to rescue his brother but was held back. He recalls Sha’aban raising his hand from the flames, a plea for help that went unanswered.
The family’s belongings were destroyed, and the survivors are left in shock. Mohammed asks a haunting question, “What more do you need, and you stay silent? You see us burning, and you stay silent.”