The University of Waterloo has announced the tragic loss of twin sisters, Dalia and Sally Ghazi Ibaid, who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza earlier this month. The sisters were set to begin their PhD studies in system design engineering at the university and were recipients of the prestigious Student Relief Fellowship.
In a statement, the university described the twins as exceptional individuals selected for their “outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated research potential.” The sisters were scheduled to arrive in Waterloo, Ontario, to pursue their doctoral dreams.
Their family expressed heartbreak over the loss, sharing that Dalia and Sally were “full of dreams and ambitions” and had been eagerly anticipating their future in Canada. “They did not get a chance to realize their dreams,” the family said, while extending gratitude to the university for its support and care.
The University of Waterloo has conveyed its deep sadness over the loss and encouraged students and staff affected by the news to seek assistance from school counselling resources.
This tragic event highlights the devastating toll of the ongoing conflict, cutting short the lives of two promising scholars whose futures held immense potential.