Sha’ban al-Dalou, a 19-year-old software engineering student from Gaza, has become a poignant symbol of the ongoing humanitarian crisis following his tragic death this week. Sha’ban had narrowly escaped death multiple times during the recent Israeli bombardments, including the destruction of al-Azhar University, where he had been studying just two months prior.
As the eldest of five siblings, Sha’ban dedicated himself to supporting his family, who had been displaced five times due to escalating violence. In videos shared on social media, he recounted the harrowing experiences faced by his family and appealed for financial assistance to flee to Egypt.
On October 6, a US-supplied bomb exploded at a mosque, killing 20 people and leaving Sha’ban trapped under rubble. Miraculously, he was rescued and taken to al-Aqsa hospital for treatment, where he created a makeshift tent for his family to stay together.
However, the situation took a devastating turn when, on Monday morning, Israeli forces dropped another bomb near the hospital, igniting fires that engulfed 30 tents, including Sha’ban’s. His mother, 38, and his brother were witnesses to the tragedy, unable to save him as he remained attached to an IV. The incident was recorded on video, further highlighting the horrors faced by civilians in Gaza.
The news of Sha’ban's death has ignited outrage, with protests erupting across the globe. In New York, around 500 demonstrators shut down the New York Stock Exchange, demanding an end to US military aid to Israel. The protestors chanted for the US to stop profiting from what many are calling a genocide against the Palestinian people. Over 200 individuals were arrested during the demonstration, including elderly protestors and descendants of Holocaust survivors.
The ongoing violence in Gaza has raised serious concerns, with the UN Relief and Works Agency calling it “a war on children.” According to reports, at least 46,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, including 16,500 children, amid allegations of war crimes by the Israeli military. Despite international outcry, the Biden administration continues to support Israel with significant military funding, totaling over $18 billion since last October.
Critics argue that the US's unwavering support is driven by geopolitical interests rather than humanitarian concerns. Many in the Jewish community, including protestors in New York, are rejecting the narrative that American aid to Israel is justified as a means of ensuring Jewish safety. They emphasize that their histories and identities should not be manipulated to justify violence against Palestinians.
The ongoing conflict has seen a sharp rise in the stock prices of American arms manufacturers, benefiting financially from the situation while human suffering continues unabated. As calls for accountability and justice grow louder, the legacy of Sha’ban al-Dalou serves as a tragic reminder of the human cost of war and the urgent need for change.
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