Palestinian Grandfather Khaled Nabhan, Known for Grief Over Granddaughter’s Death, Killed in Israeli Attack

Khaled Nabhan, the Palestinian grandfather whose profound grief over the loss of his three-year-old granddaughter, Reem, captured the world's heart, has been killed in another Israeli attack in Gaza. 

Nabhan’s heartbreaking farewell to Reem, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in November 2023, went viral after he was seen holding her lifeless body, kissing her face and calling her “the soul of my soul.” 

This deeply emotional moment resonated with millions worldwide, bringing attention to the suffering of Palestinian families caught in the violence of the ongoing war. 

Reem and her five-year-old brother, Tariq, perished when their home in the Nuseirat refugee camp was destroyed by an Israeli strike while they slept. 

In a tearful interview, Khaled shared his final memories with his grandchildren, recalling how they begged him to take them outside to play the night before the attack. 

Despite the danger from Israeli airstrikes, he had refused, a decision that weighed heavily on his heart after their deaths. In his words, “I kissed her but she wouldn’t wake up.” 

Khaled’s story became a symbol of the unspeakable loss and devastation suffered by Palestinians. As he mourned, he became a figure of resilience, using his grief as a catalyst for action. He turned to humanitarian work, feeding stray cats, helping injured families and distributing aid to those in need. 

His efforts were part of a larger mission to alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s people, especially its children. His Instagram account, where he documented daily life in Gaza and the destruction wrought by the war, amassed nearly a million followers. 

On December 16, 2024, Khaled’s life was tragically cut short when he was killed by an Israeli tank shell during an attack on the same camp where he had once mourned. 

His nephew, Saed Nabhan, recounted the moment of Khaled’s death, saying that he had rushed to help injured people but was struck by another tank shell. 

"What a great man we have lost. We will never have someone like him again," Saed lamented. 

This loss adds to the mounting death toll in Gaza, where nearly 45,000 Palestinians have died since Israel’s military offensive began.  

In the words of those who knew him, “Reem, the soul of my soul,” will never be forgotten, and neither will Khaled’s dedication to his people. 

“Today a righteous man was killed by the most wicked army on earth. Khaled Nabhan who we watched bid farewell to his beloved Reem, the soul of our soul, has joined her in the realm of souls where the wickedness of this so-called humanity will no longer reach them.” said scholar Omar Suleiman in a social media post.