VIDEO: Grieving father carries the body of his son on bicycle after Israeli airstrike in Gaza
The image, which has since circulated widely on social media, has become yet another stark symbol of the immense suffering endured by Palestinian families amid the relentless conflict.
According to Gaza's Health Ministry, at least 59 bodies were brought to hospitals across the besieged enclave in the past 24 hours alone, as Israeli air raids continued to target various parts of the Gaza Strip, including densely populated residential areas.
The latest fatalities add to an already staggering toll. Since the outbreak of the war in October 2023, Israeli military operations have killed at least 57,882 Palestinians and injured more than 138,095 others. Health officials and humanitarian agencies say that a significant proportion of the victims are women and children, with many families wiped out entirely in a single strike.
The father, whose name was not immediately released, reportedly found no available vehicle or ambulance to transport his son's body to the hospital or a burial site. Amid the chaos and crumbling infrastructure, he resorted to placing his son's remains on his bicycle—a painful testament to the scarcity of basic humanitarian resources and the breakdown of normal life in the besieged territory.
International humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations and the Red Crescent, have repeatedly called for a ceasefire and unimpeded access for aid delivery. Despite these pleas, border closures, ongoing hostilities, and the destruction of key infrastructure continue to hamper relief efforts.
Eyewitnesses in Khan Younis described the aftermath of the airstrike as 'apocalyptic,' with children trapped under debris, families digging through the rubble with their bare hands, and overcrowded hospitals unable to treat the wounded. Emergency workers, already stretched thin, are now operating without electricity, fuel, or adequate equipment.
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