Gaza Doctor Receives Angry Reception at Press Conference

"I raised my children to work, and to be soldiers of peace. I believed medicine could be a bridge for peace between Israelis and Palestinians," he said. "During all of my work at Soroka people would ask me, 'Where are you from - Haifa, Nazareth? I wanted them to know I'm from Jabalya refugee camp, a Palestinian. That we can live together."

"I received work in Canada and I wanted to take my kids. Why did they destroy my hopes? My children? I want a reason, give me a reason," he said.

"The army knows my house. A few days earlier, a tank arrived opposite my home. I immediately contacted journalists like Shlomi Eldar [of Channel 10 News], [radio personalities] Gabi Gazit and Yael Dan, and many Arab journalists. They all did their best, as did the liaison office at Erez crossing," he said.

The press conference turned tense when the mother of three IDF paratroopers began yelling at Abu al-Aish, demanding that he explain why there were weapons in the house. She later explained that while her heart went out to the physician, she did not believe the army would have shelled the building for no reason.