An Israeli air strike has killed Dr. Mousa Hamdan Khafaja, a well-respected obstetrician and gynaecologist at Nasser Medical Complex, along with several members of his family, including his three children, in the al-Mawasi area of southern Gaza. Al-Mawasi had been designated a “humanitarian zone” by Israeli forces — a place civilians were told to relocate to for safety.
The strike hit a tent sheltering displaced families, once again raising concerns about the targeting of areas previously marked as safe. Residents and humanitarian workers have described scenes of horror, with rescue teams pulling lifeless bodies from the rubble of what was supposed to be a protected zone.
Khafaja, who had served the medical community in Gaza for years, was reportedly seeking refuge with his family when the attack occurred. Colleagues at Nasser Medical Complex expressed shock and devastation over the loss, calling his death an “irreplaceable blow” to Gaza’s collapsing healthcare system.
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Health Workers Continue to Be Targeted
The strike on Dr. Khafaja is part of a broader and disturbing trend. According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, at least 1,580 health workers have been killed since October 7, 2023, including 90 doctors and 132 nurses. The targeting of medical professionals and facilities has been widely condemned by international humanitarian groups.
With hospitals under siege, ambulances destroyed, and healthcare workers killed or injured, Gaza’s ability to provide even basic medical care has been crippled. The World Health Organization and other global agencies have repeatedly called for protection of medical personnel and infrastructure in line with international humanitarian law — appeals that have largely gone unheeded.
The loss of trained professionals like Dr. Khafaja compounds the crisis, as remaining healthcare workers operate under extreme conditions, with limited supplies, constant threats, and massive patient loads.
Al-Mawasi’s “Safe Zone” Status Under Question
The targeting of al-Mawasi, declared a humanitarian zone by Israel, has sparked intense outrage and confusion. Thousands of displaced Palestinians had fled to the area believing it to be a safe haven. However, repeated strikes on so-called safe zones have left civilians questioning whether any part of Gaza is truly protected.
Human rights organizations have raised alarms over the shrinking space for civilians to shelter. With nowhere left to run and every designated zone vulnerable to attack, the population in Gaza remains trapped under fire.
The Israeli military has yet to comment specifically on the strike that killed Dr. Khafaja. However, past statements have defended strikes in civilian areas by claiming the presence of militants — a justification that has drawn scrutiny from rights groups and legal observers.
As the death toll rises and vital figures like Dr. Khafaja are lost, the international community faces growing pressure to intervene and hold accountable those responsible for targeting medical zones and humanitarian safe areas in Gaza.
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