A Palestinian man mourns his 4-day-old twin family, killed within the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, as he holds their beginning certificates, at a hospital morgue in Deir al-Balah, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Related Press
KHAN YUNIS, Palestinian Territories — Mohammed Abu al-Qumsan had simply collected the beginning certificates of his three-day-old twins when he obtained the information: his Gaza house had been bombed, killing the infants and their mom.
Footage of a distraught Abu al-Qumsan, weeping and falling as he nonetheless holds the beginning certificates, has been broadly circulated on social media, changing into the newest emblem of the devastating toll of the battle within the Palestinian territory.
“I used to be within the hospital on the time when the home was focused,” he says, tears streaming down his face.
READ: Over 13,000 kids killed in Gaza in Israel offensive, says Unicef
“There was a name, after the beginning certificates have been printed.
“The caller requested, ‘Are you okay and the place are you?’ I informed them I used to be at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, and I used to be informed that my home had been bombed.”
Abu al-Qumsan had left his spouse, the infants and his mother-in-law within the fifth-floor flat they shared in Deir al-Balah, within the central Gaza Strip, which has been relentlessly bombed by Israeli forces.
“I used to be knowledgeable that they’re in Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital and I informed them I’m on the entrance to the hospital,” he says.
READ: A toddler killed on common each 10 minutes in Gaza, says WHO chief
“I went contained in the hospital with the beginning certificates in my palms… and so they informed me they’re within the morgue.”
An Israeli navy spokesperson, when requested for touch upon the strike, informed AFP: “The main points of the incident as revealed aren’t at the moment identified to the IDF (Israel Protection Forces).”
On Wednesday, together with his dwelling obliterated and his household gone, Abu al-Qumsan folded unused pink and yellow child garments outdoors a blue tent in Al-Mawasi, a coastal space that Israel has declared a humanitarian zone.
He by no means obtained the possibility to point out his spouse that their infants had been legally named: Aser, the boy, and Aysal, the lady.
“On the identical day I obtained their beginning certificates, I additionally needed to submit their loss of life certificates, for my kids, and likewise for his or her mom.
“I didn’t get the possibility to rejoice their arrival. Their garments are new, they didn’t put on them,” he says, additionally exhibiting a half-full pack of nappies.
“These nappies, we had a tough time discovering them. For 3 months, now we have been attempting to purchase some” within the Gaza Strip, the place there was a dire scarcity of primary provides for the reason that begin of the battle.
‘Dwelling in terror’
The Gaza battle started with Hamas’s October 7 assault on southern Israel which resulted within the deaths of 1,198 folks, principally civilians, based on an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Militants additionally seized 251 folks, 111 of whom are nonetheless held captive in Gaza, together with 39 the navy says are lifeless.
Israel’s retaliatory navy offensive in Gaza has killed at the least 39,965 folks, based on a toll from the territory’s well being ministry, which doesn’t present a breakdown of civilian and militant deaths.
Abu al-Qumsan married his spouse Jumana, a pharmacist, in July final yr, earlier than the battle plunged their lives into chaos.
She endured a traumatic being pregnant as they fled from place to put to flee the bombardments. Regardless of carrying twins, she insisted on volunteering in hospitals till the seventh month.
“Because the starting of the battle, I’ve been afraid daily, dwelling in terror, and I used to be afraid that she would miscarry,” Abu al-Qumsan says.
“We misplaced associates, household, and individuals who have been very pricey to us,” he provides.
“We have been in loads of ache, we have been very scared. We ran so much.”
“I wish to know why she was killed on this means. I wish to know why she was focused. In the home, in a secure space,” he says.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please attempt once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
“There was no prior warning of the bombing of the home. I’ve nothing to do with navy motion. We’re civilians.”
