This sentiment is also echoed by the mother of the boys who were struggling in the water when Shaun Oliver jumped to help. Islam Hammad, said in an interview with SBS Arabic24 that her family is devastated by what happened to Shaun and says that they did not know the beach was closed on that day, and had she knew that she would not have put her kids safety and the safety of others at risk.
The Hammad family who migrated from Gaza to Australia in 2002 expressed deep grief and sorrow that Shaun Oliver has lost his life while saving their children Ahmed and Yazan.
The Hammad extended family in Gaza has also felt the loss.
On Sunday September 17, the Hammad family in Gaza held a commemoration ceremony in the Unknown Soldier Square to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice of Shaun Oliver.
A family spokesperson Mr Issam Hammad, said in an interview with Aljazeera that the family wanted to show its gratitude and appreciation for what Shaun has done.
