Civil Defense spokesman, Mahmoud Basal, tells Palestine Today the details of the occupation's targeting of civil defense crews while they were carrying out their humanitarian duty of rescuing the injured after a house was bombed in the Sabra neighborhood in Gaza City.

Summary translation:

The crews were informed of a strike in Sabra neighborhood and headed to the location to carry out the rescue mission. While the crews were working on rescuing victims an Israeli drone struck the house again.

Mahmoud states that Ali Omar was one of the most competent members of the rescue crews and was always there even in the most difficult and challenging rescue missions. He had rescued 5 children before being killed, and insisted to remain at the house to rescue a mother whose foot was stuck under the rubble. The latter was likely killed along with Ali, while 3 other Civil Defense crews were injured.

Asked about Civil Defense being prevented from oeprating in North Gaza, Mahmoud responds that Israel kills everyone indiscriminately and makes no distinction between Civil Defense and others. The Civil Defense offers a humanitarian service, so it is impossible for the crews to cease operations of their own volition unless they're coerced to as Israel did in North Gaza. Israel continues targeting Civil Defense crews as another member was killed by a sniper the day before (November 18) in central Gaza.

Mahmoud appeals to the world and international organizations to uphold the protection of Civil Defense and allow it to carry out its duties. It is inhuman and unacceptable for them to be terrorized and killed.

Moments before midnight, Israeli aristrikes targeted a house belonging to the Ghabboun family, opposite Al-Sultan Bakery in Sabra neighborhood, southwest of Gaza City.

About 20 minutes later, when journalists and Civil Defense crews arrived on the scene, the house was bombed again, killing Civil Defense member Ali Omar and injuring journalist Hossam Shabat.

Hossam recounted that he was injured by rubble falling from the roof following a second strike.

Names of the martyrs (identified)

1. Ali Mohammad Mustafa Omar (Civil Defense)

Photos

Martyred Civil Defense memer Ali Omar

Journalist Hossam Shabat leaning on the walls of the house to document the event