An 11-year-old boy, Adam al-Najjar, whose life was irrevocably changed when an Israeli air strike targeted his home in Gaza, is being flown to Italy for crucial medical treatment following the loss of his father and nine siblings. Accompanied by his mother, Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, Adam departed from Gaza on Wednesday evening, with plans to undergo medical care to address the severe injuries sustained during the attack on their home in Khan Younis on May 23.
Reports indicate the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are currently reviewing the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident. Alaa, in an interview with Italian newspaper la Repubblica prior to their departure, described her son's condition, noting that his left arm suffers from fractures and nerve damage, however, his overall condition remains stable. The boy and his mother, alongside several other injured Palestinians and their families, were set to exit Gaza into Israel before being flown to various cities in Italy by the Italian Air Force.
Adam's father, Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar, tragically perished in the attack after he had just taken Alaa to work at Nasser Hospital, where both parents were employed. The young survivor’s injuries were severe, and he was initially treated by a British surgeon who recounted Adam's critical condition upon arrival at the hospital.
In response to the strike, the IDF stated that their aircraft targeted suspects in a conflict area near troops, claiming an evacuation of civilians was conducted beforehand. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict has claimed over 54,981 lives in Gaza since the latest military operations commenced in response to a Hamas attack on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
