Gaza Violence: These are the victims of Hamas rocket attacks

An unprecedented escalation in violence between Israel and Gaza has left many Israelis - in a constant state of uncertainty, wondering if they will get the chance to see tomorrow.

MAY 15, 2021 00:44

Updated: MAY 15, 2021 00:45

Victims of Hamas rocket fire in Israel, from Left: Nadin Awad, Soumya Santosh, St.-Sgt. Omer Tabib, Leah Yom Tov (photo credit: CANVA.COM) — Victims of Hamas rocket fire in Israel, from Left: Nadin Awad, Soumya Santosh, St.-Sgt. Omer Tabib, Leah Yom Tov

(photo credit: CANVA.COM)

An unprecedented escalation in violence between Israel and Gaza has left many Israelis – especially those living further South – in a constant state of uncertainty, wondering if they will get the chance to see tomorrow. Eight Israelis have already paid the ultimate price as tensions continue to brew.

Leah Yom Tov, 63; Khalil Awad, 52, and his daughter Nadin, 16; Soumya Santosh, 30; Nella Gurevitz, in her 80s; Omer Tabib, 21; and Ido Abigail, 5, had their lives taken. An unnamed woman, aged 87, died from head injuries while running for shelter.

Soumya Santosh

One of the first two victims claimed by the Hamas rocket barrage, Santosh was a caregiver from India for Gurevitz, who was also killed in the blast.

Santosh was from the Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala, and had been working in Israel for seven years, according to relatives quoted by the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency.

According to the PTI report, Santosh was talking to her husband in Kerala via a video call when a rocket struck her building.

“My brother heard a huge sound during the video call. Suddenly the phone got disconnected,” Santosh’s brother-in-law, Saji, told PTI.

Santosh leaves behind her husband and a son.

Indian media reported extensively about Santosh’s death, including a conversation held by Ambassador to India Ron Malka with her family.

“The whole country is mourning her loss, and we are here for them,” Malka tweeted.

Nella Gurevitz

Gurevitz was the second person killed by a rocket that directly hit Ashkelon. She was in her apartment with her husband when the attack occurred.

Her husband is still hospitalized from the attack.

Leah Yom Tov

Yom Tov was killed on Tuesday night after a rocket landed directly on her home in Rishon Lezion.

Her children, who spoke to Israeli media this morning, said that they heard the alarm and saw that the rocket was heading toward western Rishon. They attempted to call their mother, but the line was busy.

Eventually they found out from neighbors that rescue teams were already at the house after it had been struck by a rocket.

“There are other families currently paying a heavy price as well – it is part of our reality and part of life in the country,” her sons said.

“Although we have not digested [this news] at the moment, we can say clearly and sharply ‘we will move forward’, we are a Yom Tov family, and we are with Israel, despite the difficulty, pain and prices.”

Khalil Awad and his daughter Nadin

Awad and his daughter Nadin were Arab-Israeli residents of a town near Lod, who were killed after a rocket scored a direct hit on a car early Wednesday morning.

The rocket struck Lod as the mixed Jewish-Arab city was shaken by violent riots throughout the night and brought the death toll in Israel up to five since the fighting began on Monday.

Omer Tabib

Tabib was an IDF soldier from the Elyakim moshav. He was killed by an anti-tank missile near the Gaza Strip. An IDF officer and another fighter were lightly and severely wounded in the incident as well.

He is survived behind his parents, Tali and Amir, and his little brother. Those that knew him said he was social, open and had a sense of humor.

His funeral will took place on Thursday morning at the Elyakim cemetery.

Tabib was originally set to be released from the military in June. He was 21 years old.

Ido Abigail

Abigail was a five-year-old boy whose family are residents of Sderot.

He was critically injured after a rocket from Gaza penetrated the safe room of the family's apartment. His mother was seriously injured by the attack.

He succumbed to his wounds late on Wednesday night.

His mother is currently in serious condition in hospital.

Anna Ahronheim, Tzvi Joffre and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.