San Jose Muslim community supports man who lost 30 relatives in Gaza

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Friday members of the Bay Area Muslim community reached out to a local man who suffered a devastating loss during the fighting in Gaza. He lost 30 members of his family, killed in a single air-strike.

At the Blossom Valley Muslim Community Center, people came by to offer their support and prayers to Dr. Hani Jamah, D.D.S. -- a father and dentist living in South San Jose.

Three generations of aunts, uncles, and cousins were all living under the same roof in the Gaza Strip. An Israeli airstrike hit their home last weekend and nobody survived.

Jamah said, "Even though they're my distant cousins, but I have known some of them, it's extremely vicious to see 30 people die at the same time. One family, one building, all civilians."

The Muslim community of South San Jose got together to mourn the death of Jamah's relatives and other Palestinians killed in recent attacks. Supporters broke fast together Friday night. Jamah's family members in Gaza were doing the same thing when they were killed.

Community member Irfan Tusneem said, "I basically told him that I'm sorry for your loss. And may God grant all his relatives who passed away Jannah, which is paradise."

Community member Kamal Abu Shaaban said, "We are all, you know, putting our hands on our own hearts. We are afraid of this striking all the time."

Jamah has other relatives in Gaza he is worried about. He was last in the region two years ago and says it is almost impossible to go now. The borders are sealed. He says the only thing he can do is pray and educate people about the conflict.