Infant Pulled Alive From Rubble As His Mom, Brothers Killed In Israeli Airstrikes On Gaza

One lucky baby boy was pulled out alive from the rubble after an Israeli airstrike wiped out a four-storey building in Gaza City Saturday. The child was the lone survivor from his family -- his mother was killed in the attack along with all three of his brothers.

The baby named Omar, was pulled out from the remains of their decimated home at the Al-Shati refugee camp in Western Gaza where his family had gathered to celebrate the end of Ramadan. He was brought to Al-Shifa Hospital and appears to have suffered from a fractured leg. In several photos distributed by NurPhoto agency, the baby’s father Muhammad al-Hadidi could be seen crying over his son as the boy laid in the hospital bed.

According to The New York Post, residents had no warning of the Israeli airstrike that killed 10 of Omar’s relatives including eight children. Omar’s mother was killed and his brothers aged 6 and 14 were also among the dead. His 11-year-old brother remains missing. Another unidentified woman and her four children were also killed in the airstrike which left 15 people injured and more still reported missing.

While speaking with the media, al-Hadidi said his wife and kids had gone to their relatives house to celebrate Eid. He added that he wants “the unjust world to see these crimes. The tearful father deplored the attacks that were well into its fifth night, saying how the children were safe in their homes, they did not carry weapons, they did not fire rockets. They were killed wearing their clothes for Eid al-Fitr.”

The renewed Israeli airstrikes laid claim on many lives with the overall death toll in Gaza standing at 197 people including 58 children, 34 women and about 1,235 injured. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the airstrikes and artillery assaults against Palestinian militants will “continue as long as needed.”

In a phone call to Netanyahu on Saturday, US President Joe Biden condemned the rocket attacks by Hamas as he reaffirmed his support for Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorist groups. He also expressed concerns for the safety of journalists after Israeli airstrikes destroyed a high-rise building that houses the Associated Press and Al-Jazeera.

The 12-storey al-Jalaa tower was reduced to rubble on Saturday after missiles from Israeli forces obliterated the structure. Occupants and residents of the building were able to immediately evacuate together with AP and some Al-Jazeera staffers after the building owner received a warning by phone from the Israeli military. They were given an hour to empty the building before the missiles struck. Al-Jazeera was able to continue broadcasting the airstrikes as the building collapsed.

Israel Defense Forces said their fighter jets struck the tower because it contained military assets belonging to the Hamas. No casualties were reported from the strike.