Father and baby son killed in their sleep by Israeli strike

Sitting between her husband and infant son, a woman wept over their lifeless bodies.

"May God make it easy on you. May God be kind to you, the father of my children... the soul of my heart," she cried as she spoke to her dead husband, Mohammed al-Tahrawi. 

Her eyes then turned to the smaller white shroud and she gently kissed her baby, Malek.

It was midnight when Tahrawi and his son Malek, asleep side by side in their tent, were killed as Israeli missiles rained down on Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

Malek, who was born soon after Israel launched its war on Gaza, was only a year and four months old.

New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch

Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters

"What did Malek live to see? A year and four months. In this war, he did not live a single joyful day. He did not play like the other children," said Tahrawi's aunt, Hiyam al-Tahrawi, grieving the loss of the thousands of children who, like Malek, have been killed since 7 October 2023.

Hiyam spoke to Middle East Eye about the many loved ones she has lost during the war, including 40 relatives who lived in a six-storey building that was completely destroyed. Their bodies have remained buried beneath the rubble since the war began.

'Malek was born during the war and now he's been martyred in the war, in his father's arms'

- Hiyam al-Tahrawi

Malek's grandmother, Fatima al-Tahrawi, sobbed in disbelief over his small body.

"He was born in the war, and died in the war," she said.

Through tear-filled eyes, Fatima told MEE that three generations of their family were killed in the overnight bombardment: her husband, her son, and her infant grandson.

Tahrawi's wife and two other children were also wounded in the attack.

"They [Israeli military] targeted them when they were asleep," Fatima said, noting that she was staying in another tent, far away from them.

"I swear to God, my son was not at fault, he has only ever done good," she added.  

"Where are the Arabs and the Muslims who are watching as children are being ripped apart?... this was a child that lay asleep next to his father, and now, God willing, he will be buried in his father's arms... God have mercy on them."

Tahrawi's aunt said that the 36-year-old was working hard to provide for his family and survive the extreme hardship in Gaza.

"Just yesterday was his first day selling cold drinks. What did he do wrong? Did he sell bombs or guns?" Hiyam said. "All he ever wanted was to earn a living to feed himself and his children.

"We call on the entire Arab and Muslim world to look at these children. Malek was born during the war and now he’s been martyred in the war, in his father's arms."

Tahrawi's other aunt said the overnight attack was a direct strike on the tent where the family was sheltering.

"He had just come home from work and barely fallen asleep when the bomb hit their tent," she recalled.

"My only message for the world is to have compassion for the children, that's all."

Israel's war on the Gaza Strip has killed over 51,000 people, including more than 15,000 children. 

middleeasteye.net