Two brothers shot by Israeli forces in Khan Younis, white flag ignored

In the heart of al-Amal, the Barbakh family’s aspirations were crushed when Israeli sniper fire claimed the lives of 13-year-old Nahedh and 20-year-old Ramez Barbakh, who were waving a white flag as they followed evacuation orders. The incident occurred on January 24, sparking outrage and grief within the community.

Al Jazeera’s Sanad verification agency conducted a thorough investigation into the tragic event, revealing the family’s attempts to comply with evacuation directives issued through leaflets and announcements by Avichay Adraee, the Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli army.

As the Barbakh family prepared to leave al-Amal, uncertainty surrounded the evacuation orders. The parents, Mohamed-Adel and Islam, deliberated on the safest route, eventually deciding to walk out with a white flag towards al-Mawasi. Little did they anticipate the fatal consequences that awaited them.

Nahedh, carrying the white flag above his head, took cautious steps outside, only to be shot in the legs. His attempts to retreat were met with additional gunfire, leaving him fatally wounded. Witnessing his brother’s plight, Ramez rushed to his aid, only to be shot in the heart, both brothers succumbing to the violence.

The family, unable to approach the bodies due to continuous gunfire, was forced to flee the neighborhood without knowledge of their sons’ fate. Islam, paralyzed with anguish, recalls the harrowing moments of helplessness and the constant shooting that prevented any rescue attempts.

The Sanad investigation identified the exact location of the incident near the Harun ar-Rashid school in al-Amal, corroborating testimonies and a photograph taken by Ahmed, the brothers’ surviving sibling. The photo, captured between 1 and 1:30 pm on January 24, displays the bloodstained white flag, symbolizing the brutality of the act.

The Barbakh family, shattered by the loss, was unable to evacuate together, navigating through alternative routes to reach safety. To date, they remain unaware of the fate of Nahedh and Ramez, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice in the wake of this devastating event.