The United Nations has reported the tragic loss of at least 18 children under the age of 15 due to Israeli gunfire in the occupied West Bank during the year 2025. This distressing statistic marks the third consecutive year that child fatalities in the region have reached double digits. Among the causes of these fatalities are Israeli military raids and incidents where children have been shot while engaging in ordinary activities such as walking in their neighborhoods, playing outside, or even while at home.
Since January, over 300 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, illustrating the ongoing violence in the territory. This is underscored by the heartbreaking stories of children who have lost their lives. Layla, aged 2, was killed in Jenin while sitting on her mother's lap. Twelve-year-old Ayman al-Heimouni was shot outside his grandfather's house in Hebron, while 10-year-old Saddam Rajab was shot while holding his father's phone in Tulkarem. Another victim, 14-year-old Amer Rabee, a U.S. citizen from New Jersey, was shot while picking almonds. The list continues with others like 14-year-old Ahmad Jazar, killed under unclear circumstances, and 13-year-old Rimas Amouri, who was shot in his home during an Israeli military raid.
As families mourn their losses, they hold onto the belongings their children left behind—savings books, toys, and photographs—clinging to memories in the face of immense grief. Parents can often be found inhaling the scent of clothes worn by their children, while siblings showcase pendants with faces of their deceased brothers and sisters. Abandoned bicycles and silent courtyards serve as stark reminders of the children who once filled these spaces with laughter.
Israeli authorities maintain that their operations are aimed at targeting militants, with claims that soldiers are prohibited from firing upon civilians, particularly minors. However, the circumstances surrounding the deaths of these children raise significant questions regarding this narrative. The military has indicated that investigations into some incidents are ongoing, yet families report a troubling lack of information regarding what transpired in these cases, calling for accountability.
Each child's death has been documented meticulously, recording names, ages, locations, and the circumstances of their killings. This documentation highlights not only the profound personal losses suffered by families but also emphasizes the broader trends of child casualties in the ongoing conflict.
As part of a documentary photo story, poignant images capture the heartbreak and trauma experienced by families affected by these tragic events. Among these images are Tayma Asous holding the favorite toy of her daughter, Layla, alongside a blood-stained shirt worn by Layla when she was fatally shot. In another tragic scene, Iyad Rajab holds a phone displaying a photo of his 10-year-old son Saddam, who was killed by Israeli fire, emphasizing the ever-present grief in Tulkarem. Similarly, the memory of 12-year-old Ayman al-Heimouni lives on through a picture displayed among Ramadan decorations in his family home in Hebron, as his mother and father mourn deeply, gripping onto items that remind them of his presence.
The visceral impact of these deaths goes beyond statistics; it is reflected in the daily lives of families forced to navigate their heartbreak while demanding justice and accountability in a conflict that continues to claim young lives.
