Father in Gaza recounts attack that killed his 3-year-old son

In Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, 3-year-old Rayan was killed by Israeli army fire and his father Abu Ajeen was wounded. The Palestinian father said he was denied medical care after the attack and watched his son die before his eyes.

Scraper SystemJune 17, 2026, 07:10 PM

Father in Gaza recounts attack that killed his 3-year-old son

In the city of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, 3-year-old Rayan was shot in the head and killed while walking with his father Abu Ajeen near their home. The father, who was wounded in the leg in the same attack, recounted what happened at that moment.

Abu Ajeen said they saw no military activity on the street near their home, yet they suddenly came face to face with Israeli soldiers. He described how his child became frightened and hid behind him, and how he himself started running to protect him.

The Palestinian father said they ran about 20 to 30 metres, but the gunfire struck his son in the head. Abu Ajeen stated that the bullet exited through his son's eye, and that he himself was also wounded in the leg in the same attack.

Abu Ajeen said he was detained for around six hours, during which his wounds were not treated and his requests for medical care went unanswered. He recounted that while his son was still breathing he wanted to call an ambulance, but was not allowed to do so.

According to the father, his child was wrapped in a plastic bag and left on the side, with no medical help provided. Abu Ajeen claimed that his son bled to death before his eyes, and that he was told, "Both of you will die."

Abu Ajeen described being dragged while wounded, his hands tied and his leg tightly bound with a rope, and said the soldiers left his child on the side as they took him to a military vehicle. He also stated that no first aid was given to his child and no attempt at treatment was made.

Abu Ajeen said he was later left in an empty area, and that around 12:00 people found him and his child, but his son had already lost his life. He was then taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where his leg could not be treated due to the limited resources in the area.

The Palestinian father said he suffers severe pain day and night and has received no treatment beyond basic painkillers. Abu Ajeen maintained that the area where the attack took place was safe, and that they saw no army activity or any other military movement there.

Abu Ajeen called for the establishment of an international investigation committee into his son's killing. He described his suffering, saying his son had not yet turned 3 and would have turned 3 on 11 July.

Father in Gaza recounts attack that killed his 3-year-old son