Palestinian journalist loses nine family members in IDF airstrike, days before ceasefire

A Palestinian journalist Amer al-Sultan said he is devastated by the loss of nine relatives killed in an IDF airstrike in North Gaza on Friday.

The fragile ceasefire deal took effect at 8.30am local time on Sunday morning, bringing the 15-month war to a halt.

He was “waiting for the ceasefire moment by moment, second by second, ” as he longed to go home and see his family.

“I never imagined I would one day report the death of my own family,” says Amer.

He lost his mother, brother, his brother’s children and wife, his sister and also her children.

Amer had not seen his mother in 1.3 years as he stayed in southern Gaza, reporting on the war while his family home was in northern Gaza.

“My mother was everything to me in this life.”

Amer dearly misses his mother who used to call him and reassure him. She asked him to stay safe out in the war zone.

His house was also reduced to ruins.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomes the ceasefire and calls it a “constructive step towards peace and stability.”

He has also urged all parties to respect the terms of the ceasefire deal to ensure long-lasting peace.