Osama Bahaa Balousha
9 years old
On his way to school
In memory
Osama, Ahmad and Salam
Sons of Major General Bahaa Musbah Balousha.. three young lives taken on their way to school
Monday, December 11, 2006
Ahmad Bahaa Balousha
7 years old
On his way to school
Salam Bahaa Balousha
4 years old
On his way to kindergarten
The last morning
On the morning of Monday, December 11, 2006, Bahaa Musbah Balousha said goodbye to his three children — Osama, Ahmad and Salam — as they left home for school and kindergarten, not knowing it would be the last goodbye.
About two hundred meters from the house, near Al-Kanz Mosque in the Al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City, unknown gunmen intercepted the car carrying them and opened fire; more than sixty bullets struck the car from every side.
The three children were killed along with their 22-year-old companion, and others were wounded, including children who happened to be passing by on their way to school at that moment.
The crime shook the Palestinian street. Gaza turned out for a solemn funeral to bid farewell to the three children, and human rights organizations condemned it, demanding a serious investigation and that the perpetrators be brought to justice.
In his first interview after the tragedy, the father appeared calm as he visited his sons' graves, avoiding the word "children" so as not to break down, refusing to accuse any party, and stressing that his children's blood had become a matter of public concern.
The tragedy was not the end of the road; out of the pain grew his conviction that protecting people and keeping society stable are the true path to peace — so that no other child is ever denied the road to school.
Do not think of those who have been killed in the cause of God as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.
Quran, Al Imran 3:169
May God have mercy on Osama, Ahmad and Salam, and grant their family patience and solace.