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A Gaza victim speaks of peace

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Robin Lustig | 17:02 UK time, Sunday, 8 February 2009

When hundreds of people die in war, it is too easy to forget that each death is a separate, searing tragedy. That's why Izzeldin Abuelaish, a Palestinian consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, has become the face - and the voice - of Gaza's victims.

Two days before the end of the fighting in Gaza last month, two Israeli tank shells were fired into his home while he and his family were there. (His wife died of cancer three months ago.)

Three of his daughters, and a niece, were killed. Minutes later, his grief was broadcast live on for whom he had been providing eye-witness reports about the fighting.

izzeldin_abueleaish.jpg

An Israeli army investigation into his daughters' deaths said a tank commander thought he saw Hamas spotters on the roof of Dr Abuelaish's house. The army said it was saddened by the harm caused to his family, but believed that the decision to fire towards the building was reasonable.

Dr Abuelaish has been a dedicated peace campaigner for a decade. He speaks fluent Hebrew and has worked for many years in Israeli hospitals. Despite his terrible loss, he insists that he will continue to work for peace and understanding between Israelis and Palestnians.

The picture shows him with another of his daughters, 17-year-old Shadar, who suffered a serious eye injury in the attack. You can hear my interview with him on The World Tonight and Newshour on Monday. He will also appear on the Ö÷²¥´óÐã TV programme.

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