A devastating airstrike in Gaza has claimed the lives of newborn twins, just days after their birth. The incident occurred while their father, Mohammed Abu al-Qumsan, was at a local government office to register the twins’ birth certificates.
The twins, a boy named Asser and a girl named Ayssel, were only four days old when tragedy struck. Neighbors alerted Mohammed to the bombing of their home in Deir al Balah, which also resulted in the deaths of his wife and the twins’ grandmother.
“I don’t know what happened,” Mohammed expressed in disbelief. “I am told it was a shell that hit the house.” With heartache, he added, “I didn’t even have the time to celebrate them.”
Reports indicate that the family had evacuated Gaza City following military orders at the onset of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, seeking refuge in a central area of the territory.
While the Israeli military has not commented on this specific strike, it maintains that efforts are made to avoid civilian casualties, attributing many deaths to Hamas’ operations within densely populated areas.
Incidents involving civilian shelters in Gaza have escalated in recent weeks. Notably, a recent airstrike on a school meant for displaced Palestinians resulted in over 70 fatalities, according to local hospital officials. The Israeli military contended that the school served as a militant facility, a claim that Hamas has disputed. However, independent verification of casualty figures remains unconfirmed.
This surge of violence follows an attack by Hamas gunmen that left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage, igniting a significant Israeli military response in Gaza. The conflict has since escalated, leading to reports indicating that more than 39,790 Palestinians have lost their lives as a result of the ongoing military campaign.
