Iman al-Nouri's heart-wrenching tale reflects the profound loss sweeping through her family and community following a lethal Israeli airstrike on a health clinic in Gaza. On Thursday, as Iman's youngest son, Siraj, was crying from hunger, his 14-year-old cousin, Sama, took him and his younger brothers, Omar and Amir, to the Altayara clinic in Deir al-Balah, hoping to obtain much-needed nutritional supplements.
While waiting on the pavement outside the still-closed clinic, tragedy struck. Iman heard the terrifying sound of the strike and rushed to the scene, only to discover her children and niece lying on a donkey cart used for transporting casualties to the hospital—an indication of the dire conditions in Gaza where ambulances were unavailable. Unfortunately, Amir was killed instantly, and although Omar was still alive with hopes of revival, Iman recounted the painful struggle to save him.
"My children had dreams just like any other children in the world. They were just kids," Iman lamented, her voice filled with sorrow and disbelief. Siraj, the two-year-old, was critically injured, suffering severe head trauma and a loss of vision—images now seared in Iman's memory. Doctors at the clinic expressed their inability to provide adequate treatment for Siraj, leaving Iman desperate and pleading for help.
Project Hope's spokesperson confirmed that the strike resulted in the deaths of 16 people, including 10 children and three women, occurring just as civilians were seeking basic health services. The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted a "Hamas terrorist" but expressed regret for any civilian casualties, a statement Dr. Mithqal Abutaha from Altayara clinic challenged, noting the site was a UN-recognized humanitarian facility and not one where military operations should occur.
Under the enduring blockade of food and medical supplies in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis has escalated dramatically, with malnutrition prevalent among thousands of children. Despite occasional easing of aid, severe shortages have persisted, exacerbated by ongoing violence. Meanwhile, reports indicate increasing instances of civilians killed while pursuing food or assistance.
“The ceasefire means nothing to me after my children are gone,” Iman said, embodying the despair felt by countless families caught in this conflict. Dr. Abutaha urged for the immediate provision of essential supplies to meet basic humanitarian needs for all in Gaza, yet uncertainty looms over peace agreements.
As Iman mourns her unimaginable loss, she reflects on the broader perception of life in Gaza, commented, “It's better to go to God than stay with any of them. May God give me patience.”
