Israeli Airstrike Kills Teacher Hala Khattab and Six Children in Gaza’s Deir al-Balah

Hala Khattab's home in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, was a bustling haven with the laughter of her six children: 15-year-old Hussein, the 9-year-old quadruplets Kinan, Hamman, Lujain, and Sibal, and baby Wakeen. Their vibrant lives were tragically cut short when an Israeli airstrike obliterated their second-floor apartment, resulting in the loss of Hala, a devoted 36-year-old teacher, and all her children, as per the heart-wrenching testimony of the family. The children's father, Ashraf Attar, narrowly escaped with his life.

The aftermath of the strike was devastating, with Hala's brother, Ahmad Khattab, a nearby nurse, recounting the grim task of collecting the scattered body parts of the children. The family is left in utter disbelief, with Ahmad emphasizing the inexplicability of the airstrike on an innocent family.

Israeli Military's Confirmation and Justification

In response, the Israeli military confirmed conducting an attack in Deir al-Balah on that fateful morning. They claimed that the airstrike targeted a significant Islamic Jihad terrorist figure responsible for directing attacks on Israeli troops throughout the war. The military further stated that the strike was executed after warning civilians on Friday to temporarily evacuate the area. However, the military did not disclose the name of the strike's target, leaving uncertainty about whether Israeli commanders believed the individual to be residing in the Khattab family's apartment or elsewhere.

The Human Cost

Despite the military's assertions, the reality on the ground paints a harrowing picture. The children's father, Ashraf Attar, is a nurse, not a militant, as emphasized by Ahmad Khattab. The strike caused extensive damage, demolishing all the exterior walls of the family's apartment in a three-story building. The blast resulted in Ashraf being hurled from the apartment, leaving him with a broken arm and burned legs, as reported by his brother. Additionally, the family's residence was situated in an area that had never been ordered to evacuate during the ten months of war, fostering a sense of safety. They did not receive an evacuation order or any warning call from the Israeli military just prior to the strike.