Save the Children condemns killing of their staff member and family in Israeli air strike

Save the Children announced on Tuesday that one of their staff members and their family were killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza.

“Sameh Ewaida, 39, had been with Save the Children since 2019. He was the proud father of four children – Mohammad (12), Heba (11), Zeina (3), and Zein (2).

"All of his children, his wife Fatima, and many other members of his extended family of 28 are also believed to have been killed following an Israeli airstrike on Sunday 10 December or Monday 11 December,” the organisation said. 

“Sameh, a member of the administrative team, will be remembered by his colleagues for spreading such joy and kindness, dancing at staff workshops, and always the first to make breakfast and coffee for everyone,” they added.

Inger Ashing, chief executive of Save the Children, said: “We condemn the continued bombing of Gaza by Israeli forces which is causing untold suffering among the civilian population in Gaza and the deaths of Sameh, his family and so many others.

 “This conflict has been the deadliest on record for the killing of UN and humanitarian staff. It is a stain on our collective conscience that they were killed while trying to help others survive this brutal conflict.”