Never again is now
24 October 2023
A Palestinian doctor supported by Positive Action in Housing since March 2023 has broken the tragic news that seventeen members of his family, including his beloved uncle Abdulmajeed Isleem on his father’s side, his cousins, their wives and husbands and their young children, the youngest aged 2, were killed today in a block of flats in Khan Younes, Gaza while sheltering from Israeli bombing.
Their bodies were covered in rubble. He described two of the children’s remains as completely obliterated, unable to be buried. A complete blood line and three generations lost.
Hundreds of their neighbours were killed. Hussain** said these bombs appear to cause constant burning of bodies not just damage to infrastructure.
Nowhere in Gaza is safe. But this was supposed to be safer. One of the 28 “aid” trucks allowed into Gaza carries shrouds and Hussain hopes some may be availed to his family.
Hussain’s* mother and younger sister are in Khan Younis along with other family members. They say their last goodbyes constantly to each other as they live in fear 24/7 and wait to die. They accept what is to come. There are five small bottles of water left, reserved for the children. She says that his uncle brought bread and water for them on several occasions.
Israel is dropping leaflets on northern Gaza warning that civilians who remain there may be considered an “accomplice in a terrorist organisation”, self-evidently arguing that non-combatants can be considered fair game. Leaving aside that southern Gaza is itself being bombed, contrary to claims that it’s a safe zone, and that many are unable to flee – not least the injured and infirm – this could amount to future war crimes.
The UN is warning of a ‘risk of genocide’ against Palestinians. Future pleas of ‘If I knew then what I know now’ will not cut it.
Robina Qureshi
#CeasefireNOW
#Releasethehostages
#NeverAgainIsNow