One year after her death the Palestinian medic Rouzan al-Najjar has become an international icon and symbol of humanitarian work, and a witness to the brutality of the Israeli occupation

One year has passed since Israel killed 21-year-old Rouzan who was always in the field providing medical help to wounded young men taking part in the Great March of Return on Gaza border.

Rouzan was shot dead on 1 June 2018 by an Israeli sniper while she was trying to save an injured youth near the border fence east of Khan Younis city, in the southern area of the Gaza Strip.

The killing of the volunteer medic has sparked anger locally and internationally, further exposing Israel's crimes against innocent people.

Mother takes daughter's place
Rouzan's mother, Sabrin, 45, joined volunteers attending to wounded protesters a week after her daughter was killed wearing Rouzan's blood-stained medic's vest.

"I can't express how I feel after losing Rouzan, she was the air I breathe," Sabrin said. "Rouzan always told me about the violations committed against demonstrators, their injuries, and how she saved them. She repeatedly suffered from tear gas exposure but she continued to do her job."

The grieving mother affirmed that she has become stronger after the tragedy, and now she is an activist who speaks up for Palestinian women and works to spread her daughter's story, which, she said, serves as a story of the Palestinian struggle, to draw attention to the Israeli occupation's crimes against the Palestinians.

Humanitarian work icon
Rouzan's father, Abu Ahmad al-Najjar, told the PIC that his daughter's death gave birth to a new wave of sympathy across the world and raised awareness about the suffering of the Palestinian people, adding that Rouzan has become an icon of humanitarian work.

Abu Ahmad was surprised by the reactions with which Rouzan's story was met, especially after he and his wife toured 28 European countries with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement from September to December 2018.

Rouzan's parents spoke at different forums about their daughter, the volunteer medic, and how the Israeli occupation violated all international laws and conventions by deliberately killing her and other Palestinians.

Bravery in the field
Mohammed Qudeih, 28, is one of the protesters saved by Rouzan after being shot by Israeli snipers in the Great March of Return.

Qudeih told the PIC that when he was shot Rouzan rushed to help him despite the heavy firing of tear gas bombs by the Israeli soldiers. He suffered a breathing difficulty too, but thanks to Rouzan and the accompanying team, he was immediately evacuated from the place and provided first aid.

In an interview with the PIC last year Rouzan said that she decided to volunteer as a medic in the Great March of Return because she wanted to help and support her people who were protesting for their rights at all fronts.

 

Source: The Palestinian Information Center