Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Palestine – The long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza was set to commence at 8:30 AM (06:30 GMT). The al-Qidra family had endured over a year of hardship, displaced multiple times and reduced to living in a tent. Tragically, their loved ones were part of the over 46,900 Palestinians who lost their lives during the conflict.
Yet despite the immense challenges, the al-Qidra family exhibited remarkable resilience; they yearned to return home. Ahmed al-Qidra gathered his seven children onto a donkey cart and set out for eastern Khan Younis, believing that safer conditions had finally arrived with the ceasefire agreement.
Unbeknownst to them, the ceasefire had faced delays. Even before it officially commenced, Israeli aircraft continued to patrol the skies, in stark contrast to the hopes for peace. The impending danger soon manifested; a loud explosion reverberated through the air. Ahmed’s wife, Hanan, who remained at a relative’s home organizing their belongings, instantly sensed something was wrong.
“The blast felt like it hit my heart,” Hanan recounted, having just said goodbye to her children. Her instincts warned her of the impending tragedy.
In a devastating turn of events, the donkey cart had been struck. Hanan’s eldest son, 16-year-old Adly, and her youngest daughter, six-year-old Sama, were both killed in the attack. The family’s situation was compounded by Yasmin, 12, recounting that a four-wheel drive vehicle in front of their cart may have drawn the missile’s attention, raising questions about the nature of such targeted attacks in civilian areas.
Hanan’s world crumbled as she witnessed her husband, declared dead at the hospital, leaving her to grapple with the overwhelming loss of two of her cherished children and a partner.
Now, sitting beside her injured daughter Iman in Nasser Hospital, Hanan struggled to make sense of the tragedy. The family had eagerly anticipated the end of hostilities, unaware that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had announced delays regarding the release of three hostages as part of the ceasefire negotiations.
The tragic irony lay in the fact that, during the final hours leading up to the supposed ceasefire, 19 Palestinians lost their lives, including three members of the al-Qidra family. Despite their tragic fate, Hanan’s story exemplifies resilience amidst adversity, showcasing the human spirit’s unyielding strength in the face of unimaginable challenges.
With tears flowing, Hanan confronted a future devoid of her husband and two children, pondering the harsh reality: What remains when everything dear has been taken away? The al-Qidra family’s experience is a poignant reminder of the profound impact of conflict on families and communities, casting a spotlight on the urgent need for peace and solidarity.
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