Fawaz Shukri Al-Qulaq

Their life

Fawaz Shukri Al-Qulaq, 55, was a Palestinian civilian from Gaza City. He lived with his extended family in their home on al-Wehda Street, in the al-Rimal neighborhood, one of the busiest areas of the city. Known as a devoted family man, Fawaz was surrounded by multiple generations of relatives in the same household, where grandparents, parents, and children shared daily life. He was among those who endured the hardships of the blockade and repeated wars on Gaza, yet he remained committed to his family and community.

Fawaz’s life reflected the struggles and resilience of Gaza’s families. Born and raised in Gaza, he grew up in a society marked by repeated displacement, siege, and hardship, yet he remained deeply tied to his home and community. He married and raised children who pursued education and careers despite the odds, including his son Sameh, a computer engineer. Fawaz was known among neighbors and relatives as a man of dignity, family values, and endurance. His home on al-Wehda Street was a gathering place for loved ones — a symbol of security, until the night it was destroyed.

How they died

Fawaz was killed on May 16, 2021, when Israeli airstrikes struck his home on al-Wehda Street, Gaza City. He died along with 16 other members of the Al-Qulaq family.

On the night of May 15–16, 2021, the Israeli military launched one of the deadliest bombardments of the war, carrying out at least 110 airstrikes within 20 minutes on Gaza City. Tens of warplanes targeted homes, residential streets, and infrastructure without prior warning. Fawaz and his family were huddled in their home, seeking safety, when the bombs hit. Entire multi-story buildings collapsed, burying families alive. Rescue crews worked through the night and into the next day to recover bodies. Fawaz was found lifeless under the rubble, alongside his children, grandchildren, and elderly relatives. His death was part of the massacre that killed at least 43 civilians on al-Wehda Street, most of them women and children.

A plea from the family

One surviving cousin said: “We lost our children, parents, and grandparents in one night. They were not fighters, they were families asleep in their homes. How can the world stay silent when entire families are buried together?”

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Fawaz Shukri Al-Qulaq, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources