Sat, Dec 21, 2024 | Jumada al-Aakhirah 20, 1446 | DXB ktweather icon0°C

American killed in Israeli strike in Lebanon, says family

Jawad was in Lebanon to take care of his elderly mother, says report

Published: Thu 3 Oct 2024, 3:51 PM

  • By
  • Reuters

Top Stories

US Representative Rashida Tlaib (C), Democrat of Michigan, speaks alongside US Representative Cori Bush (L), Democrat of Missouri, and the leaders of the Pro-Palestinian protest encampment at George Washington University which was removed by police earlier today. Dearborn, Rashida, where Jawad was from, has a large Arab American population. — AFP

US Representative Rashida Tlaib (C), Democrat of Michigan, speaks alongside US Representative Cori Bush (L), Democrat of Missouri, and the leaders of the Pro-Palestinian protest encampment at George Washington University which was removed by police earlier today. Dearborn, Rashida, where Jawad was from, has a large Arab American population. — AFP

An American from Dearborn, Michigan, was killed in Lebanon in an Israeli airstrike, according to the man's daughter, friend and the US congresswoman representing his constituency.

Democratic US Representative Rashida Tlaib's office said on Wednesday it was in touch with Kamel Ahmad Jawad's family, adding he was the Palestinian American congresswoman's constituent and a US citizen.

His daughter Nadine Jawad said in a statement that her father was killed in an Israeli strike in Lebanon on Tuesday "while trying to save innocent lives". She added that in his final days, her father chose to stay near a hospital to help the elderly and the disabled.

"We are deeply saddened by the death of Kamel Ahmad Jawad and our hearts go out to his family and friends. His death is a tragedy, as are the deaths of many civilians in Lebanon," a White House spokesperson said separately on Wednesday.

Israel's recent military campaign in Lebanon has killed hundreds, wounded thousands and displaced over a million. Israel says it is targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.

Jawad was in Lebanon taking care of his elderly mother, according to the Detroit News. His friend Hamzah Raza and local Dearborn groups also said on social media that Jawad was killed in an Israeli air strike and called him "one of the kindest and most generous humans".

Reuters was unable to confirm the circumstances of Jawad's death.

Washington has faced criticism for its support of its ally Israel, which is also waging a war in Gaza in which tens of thousands have been killed and nearly all of the enclave's 2.3 million population displaced. Dearborn, where Jawad was from, has a large Arab American population.



Next Story