Hebron, West Bank – Ayman, a 10-year-old boy, was tragically shot and killed by Israeli fire on a Friday night while visiting his relatives in Hebron. The incident has sparked outrage and concern within the community, highlighting the increasing frequency of violence in the region, particularly against children.
The shooting occurred during a time of heightened military activity in Palestinian districts as Israeli soldiers conducted aggressive patrols. Ayman was in Jabal Jawhar with his mother and younger brother, Aysar, visiting his grandfather and uncles when the tragic event unfolded. The family was gathered in the home of Ayman's uncle, Tariq, when they experienced the shocking turn of events.
Two security cameras captured the incident. One was situated at the corner of Tariq's courtyard, while the other was located outside the top-floor flat of Ayman's grandfather. The footage reveals Ayman and his cousins exiting Tariq's house, moments before Ayman was shot in the back. According to reports from Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCIP), the bullet entered Ayman's back and lodged in his lungs.
Despite the family's grief, they have yet to receive a medical report detailing Ayman's injuries or cause of death. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not respond to inquiries regarding the circumstances surrounding Ayman's death. The shooting is emblematic of a broader trend in the West Bank, where violence against children has become increasingly normalized. This trend follows intensified Israeli military operations that began after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which marked the start of the ongoing Gaza war.
Such incidents are not isolated. In 2019, an Israeli soldier received only one month of community service for the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old boy in Gaza. An Israeli human rights organization, Yesh Din, has calculated that there is merely a 0.4% chance of an Israeli soldier facing prosecution for killing Palestinians. This figure represents only one prosecution for every 219 fatalities reported to military authorities.
Ayman's father, Nassar, was in Ramallah when he received the heartbreaking news of his son's death. The emotional toll on the family is profound. Aysar struggles to cope with the loss, finding it difficult to face his brother’s empty classroom across the corridor from his own.
Human rights advocates express deep concern over the rising numbers of child casualties in the region. They fear that as military operations persist, so too will the risks faced by innocent civilians, particularly children. An Arabic-speaking soldier reportedly remarked, “Convince me that I shot him for nothing,” highlighting a troubling mindset that may contribute to such violence. Another soldier added ominously, “We hope that you will follow your son,” reflecting a disturbing normalization of fatal encounters.