Rula Mohammad al-Kawlak

Their life

Rula Mohammad al-Kawlak, a 5-year-old girl from Gaza City, was tragically killed on May 16, 2021, during an Israeli airstrike on Al-Wahda Street in central Gaza. She was among at least 13 members of the extended al-Kawlak family who lost their lives when their residential building collapsed due to the bombing.

Rula Mohammad al-Kawlak, a 5-year-old girl from Gaza City, was tragically killed on May 16, 2021, during an Israeli airstrike on Al-Wahda Street in central Gaza. She was among at least 13 members of the extended al-Kawlak family who lost their lives when their residential building collapsed due to the bombing.
Rula, along with her sisters Yara (9) and Hala (12), had been participating in a trauma counseling program run by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), aimed at helping children cope with the psychological effects of ongoing conflict.

The Israeli military stated that the airstrike targeted an underground tunnel system used by militants, which led to the unintended collapse of nearby residential structures.

How they died

Killed by Israeli airstrike

Rula was killed on May 16, 2021, during a series of Israeli airstrikes on Al-Wehda Street in Gaza City. The airstrikes targeted multi-story residential buildings without prior warning, leading to the collapse of the structures. Rula died alongside her sisters, Yara (9) and Hala (12), when their home was destroyed in the attack. The bombing resulted in the deaths of at least 44 civilians, including 18 children.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Rula Mohammad al-Kawlak, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources