We spoke to Dr Ahmmed Al-Farra, the head of pediatrics and maternity at the Nasser Medical Complex in Gaza, where Dr Alaa al-Najjar works.
We started by asking him what he knows about the air strike that killed her children.
Ahmmed Al-Farra: Actually I’m speechless. What happened with our colleague is unbelievable. She was coming to the hospital accompanied by her husband. Her colleague, another doctor, Dr. Ashaza, told her that by internet information there is an air force strike by an F-16 on Al-Qizan an-Nijjar in the area that Alaa al-Najjar’s house is located in. She felt in herself or by her heart that something happened to her kids. When she came back to the hospital, she was completely silent, completely shocked. She was unable to stand, unable to talk. Her husband was injured, he is in a severe critical situation, he’s now in the adult ICU.

Jackie Long: It is unthinkable to lose nine of your ten children. There’s little wonder that she can’t speak, that she can’t stand. How have her colleagues tried to support her in this moment?

Ahmmed Al-Farra: Up till now we can’t imagine that. Up till now, I’m still remembering them and crying. I am the head of the building. I’m the director of the building, I still remember these kids and I cry every time I remember them.

Jackie Long: We have heard much stronger words of condemnation in recent days from Western leaders, like the British prime minister, like President Macron. Do you get any sense that that is changing anything?

Ahmmed Al-Farra: Yes, the Palestinian people is targeted, is murdered, is massacred. They have the right to live, they have the right to take food, not to be targeted with their hunger and thirst. So I think the change of the policy of the European countries is one step on the road, but it’s not enough.

Jackie Long: We know children are dying, as with your colleague’s children, through the airstrikes, but we also know that there is an increasingly serious problem with malnutrition and children starving. Give me your assessment of what you are seeing.

Ahmmed Al-Farra: We are talking about one of the worst weapons that is used against the Palestinian people in Gaza, that is talking about hunger.

Jackie Long: The Israeli government says it is now letting aid through. Are you seeing that aid? Is it making any difference?

Ahmmed Al-Farra: The need of Gaza for trucks is nearly 500 trucks every day. They are talking about just ten to fifteen trucks every day. This is the first point, the amount is not enough. Second thing, the quality of the things that enter, the special need for medical supplies, for antibiotics, for milk, for special formula for kids, they are not involved in these trucks. So they control what they want to get inside for the people, this is the second thing.