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Nizar Dagmoush, head of the Dagmoush family council, alleged that Hamas was responsible for the killing of 36 members of his family, most of them children under the age of 20.
In his first public statement following the deadly events in Gaza City, Dagmoush spoke to Al Arabiya via phone, revealing details of what he described as “a grave injustice inflicted upon a resistance family that has sacrificed hundreds of martyrs.”
Dagmoush explained that most members of the family reside in the Sabra and Tel al-Hawa neighborhoods in Gaza, where the Jordanian field hospital is located within the family’s district.
He added that residents had sought refuge in the hospital “to escape Israeli bombardment that destroyed dozens of homes.”
Before the Israeli army launched its assault on the area, Israeli entities—either directly or indirectly—approached the Dagmoush family, requesting their cooperation with the military.
According to Dr. Nizar Dagmoush, the family categorically rejected the request, refusing any form of collaboration with the occupying forces.
He added that, as a retaliatory measure, the Israeli army destroyed more than 20 family homes and killed around 170 members of the family within just 48 hours.
He added that after the Israeli army withdrew from the area, Hamas accused several members of the Dagmoush family of collaborating with the occupation.
“Hamas claimed the number ranged between three and 10 individuals,” Dagmoush said.
“But I can confirm that those who had direct contact with the Israeli forces did not exceed three people, and some were forced to do so under pressure while they were inside the field hospital.
Dagmoush explained that his family had abided by Hamas’s decision not to intervene.
“We issued an official statement declaring that we would not defend anyone proven guilty, and we left the matter to the movement. But the next morning, we were shocked by a violent attack from Hamas on our homes using mortar shells, RPGs, and 105 mm rounds," he added.
He said that Hamas killed 36 people, most of them children under the age of twenty.
Dagmoush questioned, “If the accusations concern only three individuals, why were thirty-six people killed? Why were houses sheltering dozens of families burned down?”
“We can understand when the occupation bombs our homes during an open war—but we cannot comprehend why our houses are burned by those who are supposed to be our fellow countrymen,” he added.
Dagmoush said eight relatives surrendered to Hamas under promises of safety but were executed 90 minutes later without investigation.
He continued, “Is it conceivable that accusations could be proven and death sentences carried out against eight individuals in only ninety minutes?
Charges of collaboration and treason concern both honor and homeland—they require thorough investigations before any action is taken.
Dagmoush affirmed that his family “has always been and remains firmly opposed to any form of cooperation with the occupation,” stressing that what happened “does not represent justice or resistance, but rather an unjustified act of revenge.”
Concluding his remarks, Dagmoush emphasized that his family had lost no fewer than 700 members during the recent war.
He added that his family has always stood on the side of the resistance and has sacrificed its finest sons in defense of Gaza.
"We will not accept the defamation of our name or the spilling of our blood under false pretenses,” he stressed.
He concluded by calling for an independent investigation to uncover the truth before the public and hold accountable all those involved in the killing of innocent people without trial.
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