Esraa Majed Mohammed Al-Ghoul

Their life

Esraa Majed Mohammed Al-Ghoul was a 29-year-old Palestinian woman residing in Gaza City. On October 28, 2023, she was tragically killed during an Israeli airstrike that targeted her family's multi-story home in the Al-Shati Refugee Camp. The attack occurred without prior warning and resulted in the deaths of at least 39 identified members of the Al-Ghoul family, spanning three generations, including women and children. Esraa's death underscores the devastating impact of the conflict on Palestinian civilians, particularly women and children.

Esraa was the daughter of Majed Muhammad Mahmoud Al-Ghoul and Najah Khaled Salem Al-Ghoul. She had two brothers, Amjad and Muhammad, and two sisters, Maysaa and Hana. The Al-Ghoul family was known for its close-knit ties and communal living, a common practice in Gaza due to cultural traditions and the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The family's residence in the Al-Shati Refugee Camp had become a shelter for multiple displaced relatives and neighbors seeking refuge from the ongoing bombardment. On the night of October 27, 2023, Israeli warplanes bombed the area, leveling the building and causing extensive casualties. Among the victims were Esraa's parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Esraa's life was emblematic of many young Palestinian women in Gaza—marked by resilience amidst adversity, deep familial bonds, and an enduring hope for peace. Her untimely death, along with those of her family members, highlights the urgent need for the protection of civilians and adherence to international humanitarian laws in conflict zones.

How they died

Killed by Israel airstrike

Esraa was killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted her family's multi-story residential building in the Al-Shati (Beach) Refugee Camp, Gaza City, on October 28, 2023. The attack occurred without prior warning and resulted in the deaths of at least 39 identified members of the Al-Ghoul family, spanning three generations, including women and children.

A plea from the family

Surviving members of the Al-Ghoul family have expressed profound grief and a desperate plea for international assistance. In a GoFundMe campaign organized by Ashour Al-Ghoul, a family member, they detail the harrowing experience of losing their home and numerous family members, including Esraa. The family, now displaced and living under constant threat, is seeking financial support to evacuate the remaining members, especially women and children, to safety. "We used to live with all our beloved family, a wonderful and quiet life... Unfortunately, everything changed overnight when the war broke out in Gaza. Early on, our home was reduced to rubble... The displacement and suffering have caused the loss of several family members, including the loss of my father at the hand of Israel."

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Esraa Majed Mohammed Al-Ghoul, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources