"I started to think. What can I do for those who are living?" Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish

Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish, whose three daughters were killed by Israeli fire in Gaza, at his home in Toronto, Canada. Photograph: Donald Weber/VII Network

Gaza doctor Izzeldin Abuelaish

16 Jan 2011:

Two years ago, Israeli shells fell on Dr Abuelaish's family home in Gaza, killing three of his young daughters and their cousin. Amazingly, the loss did not embitter Izzeldin Abuelaish. Instead, he tells Rachel Cooke, he decided his girls' deaths must not be in vain – and slowly, he has turned the tragedy into a force for peace...READ MORE

Related: I Shall Not Hate Gaza doctor writes book of hope despite death of three daughters (Guardian Book Review)

Gaza doctor writes book of hope despite death of three daughters (Guardian Book Review)

"I Shall Not Hate – published in Canada in April, and out in Britain in January – has had an extraordinary impact. Sitting in the home of his extended family in Jabalia, northern Gaza, Abuelaish – back on a month-long visit from Canada where he now lives and works – reads out emails on his BlackBerry from strangers expressing their sympathy, gratitude and support.

The book has been translated in 13 languages, from Finnish to Turkish – but most importantly copies will soon be available in Hebrew or Arabic. A book tour in the US is scheduled for January; proceeds from sales and appearances will go to Daughters for Life, the charitable foundation Abuelaish set up.

He explains his choice of title. "I'm against any violence. Violence and the military approach proved its failings decades ago and that will never, ever change. No one evaluates; we just continue blindly.

"As Palestinians and Israelis we have failed to change course. We just continue with the same approach which aggravates, escalates and widens the gap of hatred and bloodshed. It's easy to destroy life but very difficult to build it." ...READ MORE"

Gaza doctor writes book of hope despite death of three daughters

Izzeldin Abuelaish's moving book charts harsh realities of life in Gaza and details harrowing family tragedy that may have halted Israeli offensive