Born in Gaza During Israeli Strike: Palestinian Woman’s Child Delivered After Her Death

A baby girl was delivered from the womb of a Palestinian woman who was killed in an Israeli attack in Rafah, Gaza. The attack also claimed the lives of the woman’s husband, daughter, and 13 other children from another family. The baby, weighing 1.4 kg, was delivered by emergency C-section and was stable and slowly improving, as reported by Palestinian health officials and the overseeing doctor, Mohammed Salama. The mother, Sabreen Al-Sakani, had been 30 weeks pregnant at the time of her death.

The newborn was placed in an incubator in a Rafah hospital with a label identifying her as the child of the late Sabreen Al-Sakani. The family revealed that the unborn baby’s late sister, Malak, who also perished in the attack, had wanted to name her new sister Rouh, meaning spirit in Arabic. The attending doctor, Salama, indicated that the baby would remain in the hospital for three to four weeks before determining her guardianship. He expressed concern for the child’s future, noting that she was born an orphan.

The attack, which resulted in the deaths of the 13 children and two women, has led to increased tensions. An Israeli military spokesperson stated that several militant targets were struck, including military compounds, launch posts, and armed individuals, but emphasized that the casualties were predominantly women and children. As the conflict continues, Israel is contemplating a ground offensive in the region, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to eliminate fighters from the militant group Hamas. In response, President Joe Biden has urged Israel to exercise restraint to avert further civilian casualties.

The ongoing violence has already led to significant casualties, with Palestinian health authorities reporting over 34,000 deaths in Israel’s assault, which commenced after Hamas fighters attacked Israel. The Palestinian health ministry also confirmed that recent Israeli military strikes had resulted in the deaths of 48 Palestinians and injuries to 79 others in the Gaza Strip. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, clashes also occurred, resulting in the deaths of two Palestinians who had attempted to attack Israeli soldiers. As tensions escalate, civilians like Abu Jehad express fear and apprehension, highlighting the urgency for a ceasefire to prevent the potential invasion of the region.

The tragic story has garnered international attention, and the world is watching as the conflict unfolds.