Family Tragedy Strikes CNN Gaza Reporter as Relatives Perish and Childhood Home Razed in Dual Airstrikes
CNN Gaza reporter's family tragically loses loved ones and childhood home in two separate strikes amid the ongoing Israeli airstrikes following the Hamas terror attacks of October 7
CNN producer Ibrahim Dahman reported from Gaza for weeks as Israeli airstrikes caused devastation and despair in the besieged strip following the Hamas terror attacks on October 7. After nearly a month, 36-year-old Dahman escaped to Egypt with his young family. However, on Sunday, he received heartbreaking news that at least nine of his relatives were killed in a strike on his aunt's house in northern Gaza.
The home he grew up in Gaza City was destroyed in a different attack on a nearby building on the same day.
"I will always remember every part of the house where I grew up and where my children were born," he said.
The Dahman family will never forget the tragic events that occurred on Sunday, when messages started flooding their messaging group about an Israeli strike that hit the building where their relatives lived in Beit Lahia. The strike resulted in the deaths of his uncle, aunt, their children, and grandchildren. Additionally, other relatives were critically injured and some are still trapped under the rubble. Dahman described his relatives as peaceful and devoted to their work and family. He emphasized that they had no ties to any organization and requested prayers for their souls.
On December 3, 2023, this image was captured in southern Israel near the Gaza Strip border. The smoke seen billowing over the Palestinian enclave is a result of Israeli bombardment during the ongoing conflict with the militant group Hamas.
The aftermath of the blast that killed Dahman's relatives is captured in a video posted on social media. The destroyed building is reduced to a pile of concrete slabs and twisted metal, with smoke rising from the wreckage and debris strewn across the street.
Two days ago, Dahman's uncle, a former Israel worker, moved with his family to his sister's house in northern Gaza's Sheik Zayed area as the bombing in their home area intensified. Meanwhile, Dahman's aunt was battling chronic cancer. Shortly after receiving this news, Dahman's brother called him to report that their childhood home in Gaza City had been reduced to ruins.
During a visit over summer, Hani Almadhoun and his family were photographed in Gaza. Tragically, his nephews Omar (standing next to Hani) and Ali (closest to the camera) were among the victims of the recent airstrikes.
Hani Almadhoun
Opinion: In Gaza, my 71-year-old mom watches over the rubble encasing her family
The apartment in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City had been freshly renovated by Dahman just three months before October 7th. As the bombardment began, no one was there. Dahman cherishes the happy memories of celebrating his sons' birthdays with cake and candles, surrounded by family.
"Regrettably, I left behind all of my memories, belongings, and the gifts from my bosses at work in the house, all of which are now lost under the rubble."
Dahman's experience serves as a poignant reminder that the impact of the war in Gaza has affected everyone.
The bombing and military offensive in Gaza by Israel was in response to a deadly October 7 terror attack by Hamas, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and the seizure of over 240 hostages.
As a result, large parts of the strip have been devastated, with the airstrikes causing entire neighborhoods to be reduced to rubble. According to the UN, approximately 1.8 million people - 80% of Gaza's population - have been displaced from their homes.
During the nearly two months of conflict, the people of Gaza have been solely focused on survival, seeking shelter, escaping the violence, and securing food and water. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah, Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of approximately 15,200 Palestinians, including 6,000 children, since October 7. These figures are sourced from the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health in Gaza.
The temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, during which several hostages were released from Hamas captivity and 240 Palestinians were freed from Israeli jails, provided a short break for many Gazans from the relentless bombing. It also allowed them some time to purchase supplies, if any were available.
Palestinians displaced by Israeli strikes seek refuge in tents at Nasser hospital during the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip on November 19, 2023. (Source: Saleh Salem/Reuters)
WHO warns that in Gaza, diseases could potentially be more fatal than airstrikes. Following the breakdown of the truce on Friday, the Israeli military resumed its airstrikes on Gaza and revealed plans to extend its ground operations across the entire strip on Sunday.
The Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza was hit by renewed strikes on Sunday, as shown in verified videos and reported by the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa.
Following the renewed military offensive, the Israeli military advised civilians to evacuate large areas of the strip, including several neighborhoods in the southern parts of the enclave.
Dahman had already shared the story of his harrowing journey to Khan Younis with his wife and two young sons, fleeing from their home in Gaza City in October. He recounted the constant fear of waking up to explosions, the struggle to find safe shelter, and the difficulty in finding food and water for his family. Despite the hardships, he remained committed to reporting and documenting the situation in Gaza.
After finally crossing the Rafah border to Egypt last month, he described the relief of settling in Cairo with his family. However, anxiety and worry continue to plague him as his parents and siblings remain trapped in Gaza. In the early days following his escape, Dahman had come to the realization that "peace remains distant."
"I have reported on numerous conflicts over the years, but the current situation is unparalleled. Entire neighborhoods in Gaza have been destroyed, and numerous women, children, and elderly have lost their lives. What have innocent civilians done to deserve this?" he lamented.
"I am also consumed with worry about our uncertain future: Where do we go from here? What lies ahead for us?"
