Dima Sa’d ‘Ali ‘Asaliyia
Dima died as a result of shrapnel wounds inflicted by an Israeli missile strike on her family’s home. The multiple fragments caused severe internal injuries, and she was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to a hospital
Israeli warplanes launched targeted strikes around 20:05 on May 19, 2021, in eastern Jabalia. Dima was hit while near or returning to her home. The shrapnel caused lethal injuries to several parts of her body. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed shortly thereafter. The strike coincided with broader shelling and missile attacks on dozens of nearby homes and civilian facilities in the area, which resulted in dozens of casualties that day, including children and women
Biography
Dima Sa’d ‘Ali ‘Asaliyia was a 10-year-old Palestinian girl from Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. On May 19, 2021, during heavy Israeli military attacks on residential areas, Dima was struck by an Israeli missile while at her family’s home. Medical sources confirmed she sustained multiple shrapnel injuries across her body, leading to her death later that same day
Dima Sa’d ‘Ali ‘Asaliyia was a 10-year-old Palestinian girl living with her family in Jabalia, a densely populated refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. Born around 2011, Dima was part of a generation of children growing up under blockade and recurring conflict. Jabalia, where Dima lived, has long faced dire humanitarian conditions, with limited access to clean water, electricity, medical care, and safe housing due to the Israeli blockade imposed since 2007.
On May 19, 2021, during the escalation of the Israeli military offensive on Gaza known as Operation Guardian of the Walls, an Israeli missile struck near Dima’s home. She suffered multiple shrapnel wounds to various parts of her body. According to Gaza medical sources, the injuries were fatal, and she died shortly after the impact.
That day, Jabalia and surrounding areas were heavily bombarded by Israeli airstrikes and artillery. Numerous homes and residential buildings were hit, leading to dozens of casualties. In Beit Hanoun, not far from Jabalia, artillery fire struck the third floor of a home belonging to Zakaria Mohammed Hamad, killing his 32-year-old son Raied and injuring another child.
Dima's death occurred in the broader context of widespread civilian harm during the May 2021 conflict. According to human rights groups, over 250 Palestinians were killed in Gaza during the 11-day escalation, including at least 67 children, many of them due to airstrikes on residential areas. Civilian infrastructure—schools, clinics, roads—was also targeted or damaged, raising concerns of disproportionate use of force and potential violations of international humanitarian law.
Pleas of Surviving Relatives and Family if any
Her father, speaking to local journalists and aid workers, expressed disbelief that his home had become a target:
“She was just a child — a little girl who never hurt anyone. She was sleeping in her room when the missile came. What kind of enemy is a 10-year-old girl? What was her crime?”
Dima’s mother, overwhelmed by grief, was quoted by a neighbor saying:
“She wanted to be a teacher. She used to teach her younger siblings the alphabet. Now all I have left are the clothes she wore and the sound of her voice in my memory.”
Additional Information
Sources & References
Dima Sa’d ‘Ali ‘Asaliyia, 10, was killed by Israeli missiles fires by the army at her family’s home in Jabalia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. Medical sources said Dima suffered various shrapnel wounds to several parts of her body, leading to her death. The Israeli army also fired at least 10 shells at the Palestinian houses in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza. One of those shells fell on a house belonging to Zakaria Mohammed Hamad and targeted the 3rd floor. As a result, Zakaria’s son, Raied (32), was killed and another child was wounded.1 israelpalestinetimeline.org Open source