**Palestinian Doctor and Son to Be Evacuated to Italy for Medical Care**
A devastating Israeli airstrike on Gaza last month has resulted in the loss of a Palestinian doctor’s entire family, with only one child surviving. Now, Dr. Alaa al-Najjar and her son Adam, 11, are set to be evacuated to Italy for medical care.
According to the Italian foreign ministry, the mother and son will fly to Milan on Wednesday evening, where Adam’s injuries will be treated. This is not the first time that Italy has provided medical care to Palestinians injured in Israeli airstrikes. In fact, since October 2023, when Israel launched a campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas’s cross-border assault, over 150 Palestinians have been evacuated to Italy for medical care, along with more than 450 family members.
**Tragic Loss of Life**
The airstrike on May 23rd was a horrific incident that claimed the lives of Dr. Alaa’s husband and nine children. Adam, who was seriously injured in the strike, is still recovering from his ordeal. In an interview with Italian newspaper la Repubblica, Dr. Alaa described her son’s condition as stable but warned that “his left hand is in bad shape. The bones are fractured, and the nerves have been damaged.”
**Investigation into the Airstrike**
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) initially stated that the incident was under review. However, the BBC has contacted the IDF to get an updated comment on the matter. In response to reports about the strike, the IDF stated that “an aircraft hit several suspects identified as operating by IDF forces in a building close to troops in the Khan Younis region, a dangerous battle zone that was evacuated of civilians for their protection in advance.” The claim of harming uninvolved persons is being reviewed.
**Background to the Conflict**
The airstrike on Dr. Alaa’s home occurred during an ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. In October 2023, Israel launched a campaign in response to Hamas’s cross-border assault, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry has reported that at least 55,104 people were killed in Gaza during this war.
**Commentary**
The evacuation of Dr. Alaa and her son to Italy highlights the humanitarian toll of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The destruction of civilian infrastructure and the loss of life are just two aspects of the devastating impact on ordinary Palestinians living in Gaza. As the international community continues to grapple with the consequences of this conflict, it is essential that we acknowledge the human cost and work towards a peaceful resolution.
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