In a tragic incident in Tamra, Israel, a missile strike has claimed the lives of four members of the Khatib family. The attack occurred on Saturday night when a ballistic missile, reportedly launched from Iran, hit their home. The victims include Manar Khatib, her two daughters Shada, 20, and Hala, 13, and her sister-in-law, also named Manar.
The atmosphere in Tamra is somber as residents gather to mourn. Women of all ages sit under a courtyard, expressing their grief in various ways. Some sob, while others seem lost in thought, their faces reflecting the pain of loss. The sound of wailing occasionally breaks the quiet, creating a haunting backdrop to the stillness of the moment.
Raja Khatib, the girls’ father, is also grappling with the unbearable weight of his loss. A doctor by profession, he is filled with regret, wishing he had stayed just one more day on a recent holiday with his family. His heartache is palpable as he questions the senselessness of the violence. “I feel terrible. I hope that I will survive this moment. I’ve lost my family, but for what? A missile from Iran?” he said, tears in his eyes.
His middle daughter, Razan, 17, was the only family member to survive the attack. She had gone out with her sisters to buy cookies and was in the house when the missile struck. Razan recalls the terrifying moment when the alarms went off. Initially dismissing the warnings, she felt a sudden urge to seek safety, but only she made it to a secure area. The blast left her home in ruins and her family shattered.
The missile was intended for a target in Haifa, a city known for its oil refineries, but it instead hit this residential neighborhood, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of such attacks. Neighbors and friends have come together to help clear the debris, but many are left traumatized by the violence they witnessed. One neighbor described seeing body parts scattered across the street.
As the community grapples with this devastating loss, the fear of future attacks looms large. Residents are haunted by the sound of sirens, which now trigger memories of that fateful night. The Khatib family’s tragedy is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict, as families are torn apart and futures are lost in an instant.