According to their families, two Palestinian boys were kll€d by Israeli fire in Gaza while gathering firewood.
According to hospital officials, the boys, cousins Muhammad and Suleiman Al Zawaraa, were 14 and 13 years old, respectively. Their bodies were transported to Al Shifa Hospital after they were mu√d£√ed early on Saturday. A distressed father was seen clutching his son’s body in the video.
The boys resided in northern Gaza with their families. The boys were close friends who went out to gather firewood to help their families cook and stay warm during the harsh winter months, according to their uncle, Salman Al Zawaraa.
“They were full of life and joy,” he said. “They wanted to help their parents, so they went out to collect firewood.”
The Israeli military confirmed to CNN that troops operating in northern Gaza identified several individuals who crossed the Yellow Line, planted an explosive device, and approached soldiers, posing an “immediate threat.” The military said the incident was the same one in which the boys were k!ll.led. However, a military source claimed the victims “were not children,” without providing evidence.
The boys’ uncle disputed the claim, saying they were far from the Yellow Line and near the entrance of Kamal Adwan hospital. “What the occupation army says is a lie; those are innocent children they k!ll.led in cold blood,” he said.
In parts of Gaza, the Yellow Line is not clearly marked, making it difficult for civilians to know where the boundary lies.
This is not the first time children searching for firewood have been k!ll.led in Gaza. In November, eight-year-old Fadi and ten-year-old Jumaa Abu Assi were k!ll.led in a drone strike while collecting firewood for their disabled father. The Israeli military acknowledged the strike and said the children had crossed the Yellow Line and approached troops, posing a threat.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, three people were k!ll.led by Israeli military action in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total since the ceasefire in October to 484. The ministry said the cumulative d£ath toll in Gaza since October 2023 is 71,657. The figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.