As dawn broke on Saturday, the tranquility of Al-Mawasi, a once sparsely populated area in southern Gaza, was shattered by explosions. Families were just beginning their day – having meager breakfasts, sipping tea, and tending to their children.
Israel launched a series of airstrikes in the region, targeting Hamas’s top military commander and another leader. The strikes, carried out despite the area being deemed safe for civilians, resulted in a devastating toll. More than 90 people, including many women and children, lost their lives, with over 300 others sustaining injuries.
Ahmed Youssef Khadra, 38, vividly recalls the horrors of that fateful morning. While having breakfast with his family in their tent, the force of the attack caused sand to swirl in the air, descending like a torrential downpour. The tent collapsed under the impact, burying them in sand. Amidst the chaos, Mr. Khadra witnessed bodies being thrown and covered by sand, struggling to comprehend the unfolding tragedy.
“What was that? What happened? What will happen?” Mr. Khadra’s mind raced as he frantically searched for his four children within the chaos. The uncertainty and fear gripped him as he grappled with the possibility of losing his loved ones in an instant.
