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| Khaled Nabhan | |
|---|---|
| خالد نبهان | |
| Born | (1969-12-23)23 December 1969 |
| Died | 16 December 2024(2024-12-16) (aged 54) Khan Younis, Palestine |
| Nationality | Palestinian |
| Occupation(s) | Influencer, gardener |
| Known for | Being an Influencer during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war |
Khaled Nabhan (Arabic: خالد نبهان; 23 December 1969 – 16 December 2024), also known by the kunya Abu Diaa (Arabic: ابو ضياء) was a Palestinian social media personality. He is best known for appearing in a video that showed him holding his granddaughter who had passed away after an Israeli airstrike, becoming notable for his frequent usage of the phrase 'Soul of my soul' in the same video. He was killed on 16 December 2024, after an Israeli airstrike on Gaza's Nuseriat camp.
Biography
Nabhan was born on 23 December 1969 to a Muslim Palestinian family, and worked as a gardener.
In early 2024, a video of Nabhan kissing his granddaughter, Reem, who had died from an Israeli airstrike, went viral. His grandson, Tarek, also died in the same airstrike.
Further attention was brought to Nabhan after Australian band The Herd released a song titled Soul Of My Soul, in reference to Nabhan's usage of the phrase.
He was interviewed by CNN after the destruction of his home due to an airstrike, and later posted videos on social media documenting his life during the war, which mainly showed him helping injured people in hospitals and giving aid to children. The fame he gained through the viral video allowed him to become a global icon and a one-man relief agency, regularly distributing food and water throughout Gaza. Throughout the bombardment of Gaza, Nabhan gained prominence for his steadfastness and patience through his faith and trust in Allah (God).
Death
On 16 December 2024, Nabhan was killed following an Israeli bombing strike. Saed Nabhan, Nabhan's nephew, told CNN that eyewitnesses reported his uncle rushed to assist injured individuals after a tank shelling in their neighborhood but was immediately killed by a second tank shell. His death was condemned by the Council on American–Islamic Relations.
Response and Tributes
Nabhan's story gained widespread prominence. In Israel, instances of mocking his killing emerged. Worldwide tributes from prominent figures emerged:
- Omar Suleiman: "“The man had an angelic presence, smiling in the face of genocide, wandering through hospitals and camps to calm people despite his pains...I longed for the day I would meet him in person. I imagined the day the genocide would end, and he would be celebrated with awards on the grandest stages.”
- Khaled Beydoun: "An ode to Khaled: The soul of Gaza"
-
Mural tribute at the Belfast Solidarity Wall in Belfast, Northern Ireland
-
Tribute mural on a building in El Paso, Texas, USA
-
Tribute poster on a building in Novi Pazar, Serbia
References
- ^ Salman, Abeer; Ebrahim, Nadeen (16 December 2024). "Palestinian grandfather whose tribute to slain granddaughter went viral is killed by Israeli fire in Gaza". CNN.
- Nasar, Hala; Mohanna, Nagham (16 December 2024). "Palestinian grandfather famous for viral 'soul of the soul' video killed by Israeli air strike". The National News.
- Vasilyeva, Nataliya (5 April 2024). "Bombed, killed by flu and shot by Hamas: the youngest victims of the Israel-Gaza war". The Telegraph.
- Ghuman, Harpreet. ""Children like flowers" The article and inspiration behind "Reem"" (PDF). Policy Alternatives. CCPA.
- "'Soul of my soul': Gaza grandfather who grieved granddaughter killed in Israeli attack". Al Arabiya. 16 December 2024.
- "Symbol of Gaza's pain Khaled Nabhan dies in Israeli airstrike". Samaa TV. 18 December 2024.
- Farag, Yasmine (16 December 2024). "Gazan grandfather Khaled Nabhan , known for 'Ruh al-Ruh' phrase, killed in Israeli strike". Al-Ahram.
- Varvaris, Mary (14 June 2024). "The Herd Drop First New Song In 12 Years 'Soul Of My Soul'". The Music.
- Karadsheh, Jomana; Davey-Attlee, Florence; Salman, Abeer (29 November 2023). "'I kissed her but she wouldn't wake up.' Grandfather grieves for 3-year-old granddaughter killed as she slept in Gaza". CNN.
- Osman, Nadda (16 December 2024). "'Soul of my soul': Israeli army kills iconic Gaza grandfather Khaled Nabhan". The New Arab.
- "'Soul of my soul' Palestinian grandfather helps injured people in hospital". Middle East Monitor. 6 December 2023.
- ^ "Grieving the Gaza granddad who wept for the 'soul of his soul'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- "'Soul of my soul': Israeli shelling kills Gaza grandfather who moved world". Al-Jazeera. 16 December 2024.
- Ebrahim, Abeer Salman, Nadeen (2024-12-16). "Palestinian grandfather whose tribute to slain granddaughter went viral is killed by Israeli fire in Gaza". CNN. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Allison, Ismail. "CAIR Condemns Israeli Regime for Killing Beloved 'Soul of My Soul' Grandfather in Gaza". Council on American–Islamic Relations.
- "Israel's Shameful Mocking of the Palestinian Grandfather Who Symbolized Gaza's Pain".
