The head of the humanitarian aid group Gift of the Givers’ office in Gaza was killed during an attack in this enclave on Thursday morning.
Ahmed Abbasi, a Palestinian father of three, and his brother were returning from morning prayers on Thursday when both were killed amid ongoing fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hamas forces.
Abbasi was appointed as the head of Gift of the Givers’ office in the region in 2013.
Ali Sablay, associated with Gift of the Givers in South Africa, says Abbasi was responsible for the implementation of several projects in the Gaza Strip, including the care of orphans, widows, the elderly and the sick.
“He delivered water through our desalination plants, distributed food parcels, provided hot meals and renovated damaged houses.”
Sablay describes Abbasi as “a kind, gentle, warm person”.
“We are grateful that he served us for forty consecutive days during this war.”
About 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and about 240 people taken hostage when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7.
It is more than five weeks later and Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza continues.
Officials in the Hamas-controlled area say the death toll in Gaza currently stands at more than 11,500. The majority of the victims are also civilians.
