In a tragic incident amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Dima Alhaj, a 29-year-old staff member of the World Health Organisation (WHO), lost her life. The WHO confirmed her death in a press statement on Tuesday night.
Alhaj, along with her husband, six-month-old baby, and two brothers, was killed on Tuesday when her parents’ house in southern Gaza, where she had evacuated from Gaza City, was bombed.
Shockingly, over 50 other individuals sheltering in the same house also lost their lives, as reported by the WHO.
Dima Alhaj worked as a patient administrator at the Limb Reconstruction Centre, a vital part of the WHO Trauma and Emergency Team.
She held a bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Earth Sciences from the Islamic University of Gaza and was actively involved in environmental and health issues.
Alhaj pursued further studies as a master’s student at Glasgow University, Scotland, UK, through the Erasmus exchange program from 2018-2019.
Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, expressed deep sorrow, describing Dima as a wonderful person and a crucial team player.
He emphasized the senseless loss in the conflict, urging an end to the violence.
The WHO stands in solidarity with Dima’s family, colleagues, and mourns her loss, emphasizing the need to halt the conflict and prevent further civilian casualties.
