Shaima Refaat Alareer, daughter of the late Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer, met a tragic fate alongside her family in an Israeli airstrike on a house west of Gaza City. The devastating incident occurred just four months after her father's death in a similar attack.
Reports indicate that Shaima, her husband, and their two-month-old son were among the casualties of the strike, as confirmed by eyewitnesses and family friends. Eyewitnesses in the Al-Rimal neighborhood recounted that three Israeli missiles struck the home where the family sought shelter.
When approached for a statement regarding the strike, the Israel Defense Forces emphasized their commitment to following international law and minimizing civilian harm. However, due to the lack of precise coordinates and timing of the strike, further details were unavailable at the time.
Shaima and her family had been displaced from their residence in Shujayya nearly four months prior to the tragic incident. Video footage captured the aftermath of the strike, showing the house completely demolished and residents rushing to the scene to assist. The remains of the deceased were transported to Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital.
Mosab Abu Toha, a Palestinian poet and friend of Refaat Alareer, expressed profound sorrow upon learning of the tragic loss. Shaima had recently shared the joy of motherhood with her deceased father in a heartfelt message on her private Facebook account, revealing the birth of her son and expressing her longing for her father's presence to witness the moment.
The untimely deaths of Shaima, her husband, and their newborn child have once again highlighted the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the profound impact it has on innocent civilians. The loss of a promising young life and a new family has left a community in mourning, underscoring the urgent need for peace and stability in the region.
