1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

According to the detailed account provided by Mahmoud Almadhoun’s brother in the Democracy Now interview, Mahmoud was killed on November 15, 2024, by an Israeli drone strike in Beit Lahia, Gaza. At the time of the attack, Mahmoud had just finished overseeing operations at the soup kitchen he had established to feed families suffering from starvation due to the ongoing Israeli siege and bombardment. (https://www.publicradioeast.org/2024-03-03/in-north-gaza-a-local-soup-kitchen-tries-to-compensate-for-hunger-amid-dwindling-aid) After completing his work at the soup kitchen, Mahmoud left to procure more food supplies for the kitchen. It was during this errand that the Israeli drone targeted him. The strike also killed several of his close friends who had been assisting him in his relief efforts. These individuals, like Mahmoud, were unarmed civilians working to alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis caused by the blockade and military actions. (https://www.opb.org/article/2024/07/16/a-palestinian-american-raises-more-than-1-million-to-feed-his-family-and-others-in-gaza/) The strike not only took Mahmoud’s life but also highlighted the extreme risks faced by civilians in Gaza, particularly those engaged in humanitarian work. His brother, Hani Almadhoun, reflected on the profound loss and the indiscriminate nature of the violence, emphasizing that Mahmoud’s only “crime” was trying to feed his starving neighbors. Hani underscored the importance of continuing Mahmoud’s mission despite the tragedy, as the humanitarian needs in Gaza remain dire . For a deeper understanding of Mahmoud’s story, refer to the full interview on Democracy Now! (https://www.democracynow.org/2024/12/2/gaza_soup_kitchen) Just wanted you to know.