The family of Ahmed Abu Artema, a Palestinian poet and writer who inspired the nonviolent protests known as the Great March of Return in 2018, was killed in an Israeli air strike on Sunday, October 24.
Abu Artema, 37, was also seriously injured in the attack, suffering second-degree burns, but is now in a stable condition. His 12-year-old son, Abdullah, two of his brothers and his mother-in-law were among the five members of his family who died in the bombing of their home in Tel al Sultan, Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip.
Abu Artema is a prominent journalist and activist who has long advocated for nonviolent resistance to the Israeli occupation and blockade of Gaza. He is widely credited for initiating the idea of the Great March of Return, a series of mass demonstrations that took place along the fence separating Gaza and Israel in 2018. The protests demanded the right of return for Palestinian refugees and an end to the siege of Gaza.
The Israeli military responded to the protests with lethal force, killing more than 200 Palestinians and injuring thousands more. Abu Artema was among those who were wounded by Israeli snipers during the marches.
Abu Artema has also written several books and articles about the Palestinian cause and the situation in Gaza. He has been a regular contributor to Middle East Eye, Al Jazeera and other media outlets. He has also participated in several international events and conferences to raise awareness and solidarity with the Palestinians.
Israel’s Claims
His home was one of many targeted by Israel in its ongoing offensive against Gaza, which began on October 7 after Hamas, the Islamist group that rules Gaza, launched more than 4,000 rockets at Israel, killing more than 1,400 Israelis and taking hundreds of hostages in its initial raid.
Israel claims that it is acting in self-defense and that it is targeting Hamas assets and infrastructure in Gaza. However, human rights groups and international observers have accused Israel of using disproportionate, indiscriminate and unlawful attacks that have killed more than 2,400 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and injured over 9,000 since October 7.
Israel has also cut off food, water and electricity to Gaza, creating a humanitarian crisis for its 2.3 million inhabitants. Israel has also warned civilians to evacuate their homes and seek shelter in the south of Gaza, saying that anyone who stayed behind would be considered “a partner in a terrorist organization”.
The attack on Abu Artema’s family has sparked outrage and grief among Palestinians and their supporters around the world. Many have expressed their condolences and solidarity with Abu Artema on social media, praising him as a voice of peace and justice.
Some have also condemned Israel’s aggression and called for an end to the violence and oppression against Gaza. They have also urged the international community to intervene and stop Israel’s violations of international law and human rights.
Abu Artema has not commented publicly on the attack or on the loss of his family. He has been receiving treatment at a hospital in Gaza.
