On May 31st 2024, an alleged Israeli airstrike hit a civilian car on Al-Helu Street near the Sawarha Cemetery, south of the Nuseirat Refugee Camp. The attack resulted in the deaths of Tariq Zaki Darwish, Hamza Zaki Darwish, and Abdul Rahman Abdul Karim Darwish. A potential fourth civilian, Nihad Jamal Al Auf, was also seriously wounded and later died from his injuries, although it is unclear whether his injuries were sustained in this incident. Other unnamed civilians were reported injured in the incident.

The three Darwish family members were working as volunteer humanitarian workers. According to a post by Rashed Kabarati they were dedicated to “serving people, taking care of them, and preparing food for them.”

On the day of the incident Awni Abu Ghassan, posted to social media that her uncle, Nihad Jamal Al-Auf, was taken to intensive care after being seriously injured when a car was “targeted” in Nuseirat Camp. It was later reported by Mohammed Al Of Abu Khoder that Nihad Jamal Al-Auf had succumbed to his injuries and passed away later on in the day.

Following the incident, pictures and details of the scene were shared to social media. Mahmoud Abu Hamada reported that Darwish family members were killed in the bombing and burning of the car and “their remains were scattered on the road.” Al Zahraa Mukhtar further reported that one of the bodies recovered consisted only of its lower half, with the upper half scattered and missing a head.

Following the incident friends and family mourned the loss of their loved ones consoling each other with religious messages such as “And do not think that those who were killed in the cause of God are dead, but rather alive, provided for by their Lord.” They also prayed that God may accept those who passed away as “martyrs.”

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to Israeli forces.