The Martyred Medic Mustafa Khafaja: A Kind Father Who Left Behind an Only Child

For eight long years, Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) medic Mustafa Khafaja waited to welcome his first child. That moment finally came fifteen years ago with the birth of his son, Muhammad, to a father who carried his soul in his hands, risking everything to save the lives of others.

Khafaja spent many years trying to ease the pain of his family and neighbors in the Gaza Strip. He devoted 25 years to humanitarian service, shielded only by an international emblem that was ultimately shattered by Israeli occupation forces at dawn on March 23rd.

Mustafa Mohammad Hamad Khafaja

Born in 1975 in Tel al-Sultan, Rafah, Khafaja married in 2002. After eight years of longing, he and his wife were blessed with their only son, Muhammad, through IVF. They shared fifteen years together, many of which were marked by war and its devastating aftermath.

Khafaja began working with the PRCS during the second Intifada in 2000, after studying at the PRCS Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Institute in Khan Younis. He went on to become one of the most distinguished medic in the society.

Over the years, the Red Crescent became his second home. His colleagues grew to be more than brothers, they shared fifteen years of rescuing lives together, never hesitating to save their colleagues, who were besieged by the Israeli occupation forces in Rafah, who died with them as martyrs.

His Only Son

His son, Mohammad described his kind-hearted martyred father: “He was kind, helpful, never angered anyone. Everyone speaks highly of him; he had a wonderful reputation. People in the city and at the Red Crescent knew him as the first to respond and the last to retreat in the face of danger.”

He added that his father had been targeted several times alongside PRCS teams but had survived. On one occasion, he suffered injuries and bruises. Their ambulance had also previously come under gunfire and was struck with tear gas while he was inside. In the current war, a nearby ambulance was bombed, and Mustafa was injured by shrapnel.

Treacherously Killed

Mohammad confirmed that his father always sensed the danger threatening his life, but believed the internationally protected Red Crescent emblem would offer him some safety. “However, Israel killed them in cold blood and buried their bodies in the sand.” he said.

Mustafa Khafaja was martyred alongside 13 medics from the PRCS and Civil Defense, and one staff of the United Nations. Bullets tore through their bodies, and they were left for a week in the sand. Israel blocked all attempts to retrieve them until they were finally recovered as martyrs.