An Israeli air strike killed an IT contractor working for the US Agency for International Development, his wife and two young daughters, his employer has said.
In the last message he sent, on 10 October, before his death on 5 November, Hani Jnena, 33, wrote: “My daughters are terrified, and I am trying to keep them calm, but this bombing is terrifying,” according to Global Communities.
His children, Mariam and Zayna, were aged four and two when they were killed, said the non-profit, which partners with governments and private sector entities for humanitarian work.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm the tragic loss of our colleague, Hani Jnena, along with his family in Gaza,” a statement by Global Communities read.
It said the family, including his wife, Abeer, were killed during an Israeli airstrike in the al Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City at the residence of Mr Jena’s in-laws.
A USAID spokesperson told Reuters the USAID community
“grieves the deaths of the innocent civilians and many
humanitarian workers who have been killed in this conflict,
including courageous individuals like Hani Jnena”.
In a statement to the Washington Post, the IDF did not
confirm or deny Israel’s responsibility in Jnena’s death but
said the IDF always follows international law and takes
“feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm.”
