Gaza Physiotherapist Recounts Tragic House Bombing - Loss of Husband, Son

Suha Nasser, a 27-year-old physiotherapist hailing from Jabalia, was living at home with her husband and their three children when tragedy struck on October 7th. Amidst the chaos of war, she found herself sheltering alongside 31 relatives in an overcrowded space within a bombed-out house.

Before this harrowing experience, life was filled with hope for Suha and her family. Born into Jabalia's community in Gaza, Suha met her husband Mohammed at university in 2018. The couple quickly discovered shared values of self-confidence, kindness, humor, and unwavering support—all qualities that drew them together and led to their marriage just two years later.

Despite facing a long struggle with infertility, Suha's perseverance bore fruit when she gave birth to her son Ahmed in April 2023 after four years of waiting for parenthood. Shortly thereafter, the couple resumed their work and family life as Suha returned to her role at al-Rantisi hospital while Mohammed balanced his responsibilities with caring for their infant child.

When war erupted in their home country, fear gripped Suha's heart not only for her immediate family but also for the numerous relatives seeking shelter within their walls. As the conflict intensified over a month later and bombings raged on, their already crowded living space swelled to house nearly 60 people—mostly displaced from nearby areas or seeking refuge due to shelling in their own homes.

On October 19th, disaster struck once again as Suha's home was bombed during a devastating nighttime assault that resulted in the death of all but six survivors within its walls. The following morning brought heart-wrenching news of her father and mother perishing from the chaos—a blow to a mother already grappling with severe injuries, including spinal fractures, broken ribs, and damaged thigh tendons, while also coping with an untreated wound incurred during childbirth.

In search of medical attention following her hospitalization at Kamal Adwan hospital, Suha found herself amidst the dire conditions wrought by a shortage of essential supplies such as medicine and sterilization equipment. With uncertainty looming over her surgery prospects, she now seeks to secure an evacuation for further evaluation and treatment abroad—a seemingly impossible task given current circumstances.

Yet even in this dark moment, Suha's spirit endures. She clings onto the memories of her husband Mohammed, a man who brought joy and strength to their family, and Ahmed, whose bright smile once illuminated her world.