The Lives Lost in Gaza: Remembering a Doctor, Tailor, and Bride-to-Be

As Israel continues its war against Hamas in Gaza, the death toll is increasing. The Hamas-run health ministry has reported that over 9,000 people have been killed since the conflict began. Due to safety concerns, there are very few journalists in Gaza to document the human cost of the fighting. However, the BBC has spoken to families and eyewitnesses who have shared stories of loved ones who were killed in recent days. One such story is that of Yusof, a seven-year-old boy who was killed when an Israeli airstrike hit his home. His father, Mohamed Abu Musa, a radiographer, had installed solar panels at their house so the children could watch television. Yusof's sister and brother survived the attack but endured injuries. Another victim of the conflict was Dr. Saidam, a dedicated surgeon who was killed in a strike at his home. His colleagues remember him as a relentless and mentor-like figure. Nour, a 17-year-old student, was killed along with her nephew in an airstrike on her family home. She had aspirations of becoming a doctor and had written about making her family proud in her diary. Lurin, who was engaged to be married, was killed while praying in her room. She and her fiancé had planned to wed in December and move to Cyprus. Fekriya Hassan Abdul A'al, a talented tailor, was responsible for dressing many brides in the Radwan district of Gaza City. She was killed along with several members of her family while seeking refuge during an airstrike. Brothers Mazen and Ahmed were killed when an explosion occurred at the al-Ahli Hospital, with conflicting reports attributing the blast to either an Israeli airstrike or a failed rocket launch by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Salam Mema, a journalist, was killed along with her husband and two children when their house was hit by an Israeli airstrike. As of October 31, she was one of 31 confirmed journalists killed during the conflict. Safaa, a pharmacist, was killed while sleeping beside her infant daughter and husband. Despite their survival, her parents are devastated by her death.