Tragedy strikes Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya as six family members are killed in airstrike on his home
What happened
Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, left home to begin his hospital shift. The next day, he was faced with a devastating personal loss when six members of his immediate family were killed in an Israeli airstrike on their home. The strike hit the house in the Al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, where multiple generations had been living together.
Family loss and injuries
Among those killed were his brother, two of his brother’s sons, a nephew’s wife, and two of their children. Seven others were injured, including his own sister, niece, and nephews. When the bodies arrived at Al-Shifa Hospital, Dr. Abu Salmiya was still on duty—he had not yet known about the strike.
Aftermath and response
A video circulated showing Dr. Abu Salmiya kneeling in grief beside the bodies at the hospital, still wearing his medical scrubs. Gaza’s Ministry of Health director-general, Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, posted a message praying for strength and patience for him and his family.
Civil defence teams also reported rescuing injured people from the strike site and retrieving more bodies. Meanwhile, many Palestinians are fleeing Gaza City as it faces intense Israeli operations.
Wider humanitarian context
The strike on Dr. Abu Salmiya’s family home comes amid an escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 65,200 Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023. Parts of Gaza are under famine conditions. The destruction of homes, hospitals, and infrastructure continues to raise global concern. Israel claims its ground operations in Gaza City target Hamas strongholds and militant infrastructure.
