Dr. Ayman Abu al-Auf

Their life

Full Name: Dr. Ayman Abu al-Auf
Profession: Head of Internal Medicine, Gaza’s Shifa Hospital
Date of Death: May 16, 2021
Location of Death: Gaza City, Palestine
Cause of Death: Killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted residential buildings on Al-Wahda Street, including the home of Dr. Ayman and his family.

Dr. Ayman Abu al-Auf was a prominent Palestinian physician and the head of the Internal Medicine Department at Gaza’s Shifa Hospital, one of the largest and most important medical facilities in the region. He was dedicated to his work, providing critical care in a place where medical staff often face overwhelming challenges due to limited resources, ongoing violence, and the stresses of working in an area under siege.

On May 16, 2021, during an Israeli airstrike that targeted Al-Wahda Street, Dr. Ayman was killed along with his two children, Tala (13) and Tawfeeq (17). The airstrike caused massive damage to several residential buildings, and the Abu al-Auf family’s home was directly hit. The explosion resulted in the deaths of all family members inside, including Dr. Ayman, his daughter Tala, and his son, Tawfeeq. The strike was part of Israel's broader military operation in Gaza, which led to widespread destruction and civilian casualties.

Dr. Ayman's death was particularly poignant given his position as a healthcare professional. His work at Shifa Hospital made him a key figure in Gaza's medical community, and his loss added to the grief felt by the hospital staff and the entire community. His children, Tala and Tawfeeq, were also young victims of the violence, leaving a hole in the hearts of their grieving community.

Dr. Ayman Abu al-Auf's death is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by medical professionals in conflict zones and the broader toll that war takes on families, healthcare workers, and innocent civilians. His legacy is one of care, compassion, and dedication to his patients in the face of unimaginable challenges.

How they died

Killed by airstrike

Killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted residential buildings on Al-Wahda Street, including the home of Dr. Ayman and his famil

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Dr. Ayman Abu al-Auf, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources