Khaled Nabhan
Palestinian social media personality (1969–2024) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Khaled Nabhan (Arabic: خالد نبهان; 23 December 1969 – 16 December 2024), also known by the kunya Abu Diaa (Arabic: ابو ضياء) was a Palestinian social media personality. He is best known for appearing in a video that showed him holding his granddaughter who had died after an Israeli airstrike, becoming notable for his frequent usage of the phrase 'Soul of my soul' in the same video.[1] He was killed on 16 December 2024, after an Israeli airstrike on Gaza's Nuseriat camp.[2]
 | The topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia's notability guideline for biographies. (December 2024) |
Khaled Nabhan | |
|---|---|
| خالد نبهان | |
| Born | 23 December 1969 |
| Died | 16 December 2024 (aged 54) Khan Younis, Palestine |
| Nationality | Palestinian |
| Occupation(s) | Influencer, gardener |
| Known for | Being an Influencer during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war |
Biography
Summarize
Perspective
Nabhan was born on 23 December 1969 to a Muslim Palestinian family, and worked as a gardener.[3]
In early 2024, a video of Nabhan kissing his granddaughter, Reem, who had died from an Israeli airstrike, went viral.[4][5] His grandson, Tarek, also died in the same airstrike.[6][7]
Further attention was brought to Nabhan after Australian band The Herd released a song titled Soul Of My Soul, in reference to Nabhan's usage of the phrase.[8]
He was interviewed by CNN after the destruction of his home due to an airstrike,[9] and later posted videos on social media documenting his life during the war, which mainly showed him helping injured people in hospitals and giving aid to children.[10][11] The fame he gained through the viral video allowed him to become a global icon and a one-man relief agency, regularly distributing food and water throughout Gaza.[12] Throughout the bombardment of Gaza, Nabhan gained prominence for his steadfastness and patience through his faith and trust in Allah (God).[12]
Death
On 16 December 2024, Nabhan was killed following an Israeli bombing strike.[13][14] Saed Nabhan, Nabhan's nephew, told CNN that eyewitnesses reported his uncle rushed to assist injured individuals after a tank shelling in their neighborhood but was immediately killed by a second tank shell.[1] His death was condemned by the Council on American–Islamic Relations.[15]
Response and Tributes
Nabhan's story gained widespread prominence. In Israel, instances of mocking his killing emerged.[16] Worldwide tributes from prominent figures emerged:
- Omar Suleiman: "“The man had an angelic presence, smiling in the face of genocide, wandering through hospitals and camps to calm people despite his pains...I longed for the day I would meet him in person. I imagined the day the genocide would end, and he would be celebrated with awards on the grandest stages.”
- Khaled Beydoun: "An ode to Khaled: The soul of Gaza"
Mural tribute at the Belfast Solidarity Wall in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Tribute mural on a building in El Paso, Texas, USA
Tribute poster on a building in Novi Pazar, Serbia
References
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