Gaza doctor who lost three kids in IDF op tapped for Nobel Prize

Palestinian Dr. Ezzeldeen Abu al-Aish, whose three daughters were killed during Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip earlier this year, has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, Army Radio reported on Monday.

The nomination was announced by Belgium's state secretary, who described al-Aish to the Arabic-language daily A-Sharq Al-Awsat as a "soldier of peace." The doctor has been awarded honorary Belgian citizenship "in recognition of his efforts in service of humanity," said the state secretary.

According to A-Sharq Al-Awsat, Minority Affairs Minister Professor Avishay Braverman has called Dr. Abu al-Aish to congratulate him, calling the nomination a victory for humanity.
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Abu al-Aish, a father of eight who was trained in Israel, became one of the symbols of the Gaza offensive after he was broadcast on television immediately after an Israeli shell killed three of his daughters and his niece.

In a report drenched with sobs, al-Aish said he hoped his three daughters would be the last victims of the fighting in Gaza, and that their deaths would help bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

"I want to know why my daughters were harmed. This should haunt (Israeli Ehud Prime Minister) Olmert his entire life," Abu al-Aish said on Israel's Channel 10, speaking through a cell phone in Hebrew as he has throughout the war.

He added that his daughters were "armed only with love."

The IDF shelled the al-Aish home after troops reported having been fired upon by snipers situated in the house adjacent to theirs, according to an IDF investigation.

The troops identified suspicious figures in the upper levels of the doctor's building, and deduced that they were serving as observers, directing the sniper fire from their vantage point.

The Israeli commander on he ground decided to fire tank shells at the building, hitting al-Aish's home and killing three of his daughters.

Abu al-Aish had denied that there were any militants in the building at the time of the shelling, but thanked those responsible for investigating the incident by saying that "we all make mistakes, and we don't repeat them."

"I have two options - the path of darkness or the path of light. The path of darkness is like choosing all the complications with diseases and depression, but the path of light is to focus on the future and my children. This strengthened my conviction to continue on the same path and not to give up," al-Aish said after the release of the investigation's conclusions.

The 55-year-old gynecologist trained in Israeli hospitals and speaks Hebrew.

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Comment by Dances Soaringsong on April 6, 2009 at 11:29pm: Many years ago, I wrote in my Will that if I should die at the hands of a murderer, I wish the violence to end there. There is no justice in continuing a cycle, an eye for an eye. I don't have to like an action, done by a person, but I do still have to love them, else I contradict myself. It is natural, during emotional pain to lash out and seek revenge, I pray for that insanity to be healed, I pray to always remember that two wrongs only equal two wrongs. I pray no one will ever have to have this test of walking the talk to ever be put to the test.

Comment by sylvie Calvet on April 6, 2009 at 11:21pm: Of couse You' ll choose the Path of Light ! that the Path Your children want to see You taking !
Feel with even greater kindness to all the empty places that they have left !
Peace will come only if being such as You give the right answer to such a tragedy !
Your children will share your pace of love and light !
that's the only way to destroy hatred !

Comment by Sandra Gutierrez Alvez on April 6, 2009 at 11:19pm: This man is an example for those of us overwhelmed by nonsense. Be followed with love and peace as a weapon as a flag. Go ahead!
deserves Novel Award

Comment by FAÏZA SKANDRANI on April 6, 2009 at 11:18pm: I hope for this doctor peace, courage and hapiness...The shelling of Gaza is horrible and to live without his daughters and other members of family seems very strange for him ...That nomination is a good lesson for the israelians who where responsible of these deaths ...I support it ...

Comment by Skye on April 6, 2009 at 11:18pm: Much love and aloha to the doctor on his continuing journey. May peace come to his heart and all he touches along the way!