Twin sisters killed in Gaza bombing after securing PhD Admission in Canada
The University of Waterloo community is mourning the tragic deaths of Palestinian twin sisters, Sally and Dalia Ghazi Ibaid, who were killed in Gaza on December 5, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The 26-year-old sisters had recently been accepted into the University of Waterloo’s prestigious Global Student Relief Initiative, designed to support students from conflict zones.
Their family expressed heartbreak over their loss, stating the twins had been filled with hope and dreams after being admitted into the university’s system design engineering program. “They were looking forward to pursuing their dreams in Canada and an end to their suffering,” their family said.
The sisters were in the process of obtaining study permits and preparing to cross the Rafah border when an airstrike claimed their lives. The University of Waterloo believes it was an Israeli airstrike, though CBC News has yet to independently confirm this and is awaiting a response from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The airstrike also claimed the life of their mother.
A Future Cut Short
Tamer Ozsu, a University of Waterloo professor managing the fellowship program, spoke highly of the twins: “These were very highly educated students with immense potential. It’s devastating that they never had the chance to fulfil their dreams.”
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In an audio submission for her application, Sally shared her passion for mechatronics engineering and her vision for the future. She spoke of designing innovative projects like a smart monitoring system and a mass-loading robot, and training at a dialysis centre in Gaza. “I’m excited about the future and eager to take on new challenges to grow both personally and professionally,” her message concluded.
Remembering Sally and Dalia
The family described the twins as “vibrant, bubbly, and excited” in their final days, often jokingly referring to each other as “Dr. Sally” and “Dr. Dalia.” In a heartfelt message to the university, they thanked the program for giving the twins hope, even if briefly.
The university has released a photo of the sisters to honour their memory and has made counselling services available for grieving students.
“The University of Waterloo is deeply saddened by this loss,” read a statement on the institution’s website. “Both sisters were recipients of the prestigious Student Relief Fellowship, recognized for their outstanding academic achievements and research potential.”
The war in Gaza, which began with a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has caused immense devastation, with over 45,000 Palestinians killed and millions displaced, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
As the world grapples with the ongoing conflict, the deaths of Sally and Dalia serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.
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