A chilling account from Gaza City details how a single Israeli sniper attack ripped a Palestinian family apart, with a shocking revelation: the shots were fired by soldiers with direct connections to Chicago and Munich.
The incident, which occurred in the Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood, left five members of the al-Astal family dead or injured in a matter of seconds. Witnesses and survivors describe a scene of unimaginable horror as they attempted to flee their home under a white flag.
A Fateful Decision to Flee
As Israeli troops advanced and bombardment intensified, the al-Astal family made the harrowing choice to evacuate. In what they believed was a protected act of surrender, the group—including children and elderly relatives—walked into the street holding a white flag.
"We did everything they tell you to do," said one survivor. "We raised the white cloth high. We moved slowly. We wanted to show we were no threat."
The Attack and Its Aftermath
Without warning, precise shots rang out from an Israeli military position. The sniper fire struck multiple family members simultaneously:
- 21-year-old Abdulrahman al-Astal was killed instantly by a shot to the chest
- His cousin, 19-year-old Mohammed, was shot through the neck and severely injured
- Two aunts in their 50s were shot in the legs
- Another relative was struck while trying to pull victims to safety
Family members described scrambling for cover as the sniper continued firing, with bullets striking near the heads of those attempting to rescue the wounded.
The transatlantic Connection
In a development that adds complex international dimensions to the tragedy, The Guardian's investigation established that the sniper team involved included two soldiers with Western backgrounds:
- A 28-year-old from Chicago who joined the IDF through a special recruitment programme for overseas Jews
- A 26-year-old from Munich who obtained Israeli citizenship specifically for military service
Both soldiers were serving in the IDF's elite Kfir Brigade, known for its deployment in urban combat operations in the West Bank and Gaza.
Broader Implications and Official Responses
The involvement of foreign nationals in sensitive combat roles raises urgent questions about accountability, international law, and the policies governing foreign recruitment into the IDF. Military experts note that sniper teams operate under strict rules of engagement that should prevent attacks on surrendering civilians.
The IDF has stated it is investigating the incident but maintains its forces "follow international law and exercise maximum caution to avoid civilian casualties." However, human rights organisations have documented numerous similar cases where Palestinians waving white flags were fired upon.
For the al-Astal family, now scattered across makeshift shelters in Gaza, the knowledge that their relatives were shot by soldiers with connections to Western cities adds another layer of anguish to their unbearable loss.
