"Forgive me my son, I couldn't save you:" Palestinian father shares how Israeli airstrike burned his son alive

An Israeli airstrike on October 14 turned the grounds of Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital into an inferno, claiming the lives of four people, including 20-year-old Shaban al-Dalou, in Northern Gaza.

His father, Ahmad al-Dalou, recounted the horrifying night to Middle East Eye, describing his futile attempt to save his children from the blazing tent.

"In a matter of seconds, a massive fireball engulfed us. It consumed my children, my tent, and my wife, who was asleep and couldn't move," Ahmad recalled. 

"The pressure from the bomb threw me out of the tent. I stood up, completely unharmed. Then I looked at my children and wondered, who should I rescue from the tent?"

Ahmad prioritised saving his youngest son and daughter, who were asleep, but,  he mistakenly believed Shaban, connected to an IV drip, was awake and could escape on his own.

"I saved my children, my daughter... But then, Shaban was engulfed in flames. I stood there, helpless, completely surrendered. I told him, 'Forgive me, my son, I couldn't help you.'" 

Ahmad's right hand was also engulfed in flames as he tried to rescue his children.

The viral video on social media showed Shaban's desperate struggle as he was burned alive.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas carried out an operation in Israel, killing 1,200 people, including 350 Israeli soldiers, and taking 250 hostages.

In response, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Gaza and initiated a ground operation, which continues to this day.

The ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza since October 7 has resulted in approximately 42,000 killed, over 98,000 injured, and more than 10,000 people missing.