Did you know that Israel's snipers routinely shoot children in the head?

Israeli snipers have been systematically targeting Palestinian children, particularly aiming for their heads and chests. These are not random casualties of war but deliberate, calculated acts. The decision to aim a high-precision rifle at a child’s head requires intent—there is no accidental misfire when a trained sniper pulls the trigger. The evidence gathered from eyewitness reports, medical professionals, and human rights organizations shows a consistent pattern of deliberate targeting, proving that these shootings are intentional acts of violence.

Dr. Fozia Alvi, a Canadian doctor working at Gaza’s European Public Hospital, recalled treating two boys, aged seven and eight, both brought in with sniper wounds to the head. These were no accidents. “They were not able to talk, paraplegic... literally lying down as vegetables on those beds. They were small children, shot deliberately,” she said. The precision with which these children were shot leaves no doubt that they were intentionally targeted.Dr. Fozia Alvi, a Canadian doctor working at Gaza’s European Public Hospital, described the injuries she treated among children: sniper shots to the head, leaving young victims paraplegic or brain dead. "They were not combatants, they were small children," she noted, recounting the story of two boys, seven and eight years old, who were left incapacitated by sniper fire. These children were brought to the hospital after being shot in the head, injuries that rendered them unable to speak or move, their lives effectively destroyed by a single bullet.

Targeted Shootings in Civilian Areas

The pattern of targeting children extends across Gaza. Doctors from Gaza’s hospitals reported treating a steady stream of children and other civilians with sniper wounds to the head and chest. Many of these injuries were caused by high-caliber bullets, designed to cause maximum damage. Eyewitnesses and medical staff confirm that these children were not caught in crossfire—they were deliberately targeted.

Dr. Vanita Gupta, an intensive care doctor from New York, shared her experience from Gaza. She recalled treating a five-year-old girl who had been shot in the head by a sniper. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, the child died. On that same day, two other children arrived at the hospital with sniper wounds to their heads. These injuries, Gupta noted, were not random; they were precise and intentional.

A Systematic Campaign

This is not an isolated phenomenon. Reports from human rights organizations, including The Guardian and Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, have documented numerous cases where Israeli snipers have targeted Palestinian children. In one instance, 14-year-old Ruwa Qdeih was shot and killed by a sniper while collecting water outside Khan Younis Hospital. There was no fighting in the area at the time, and yet she was shot with precision, followed by sniper fire aimed at those attempting to recover her body.

High-caliber bullets and sniper rifles have been used to strike children in areas where they posed no threat. The children are often left with devastating injuries or are killed instantly, with shots to the head or chest. Despite the IDF’s claims that they do not target civilians, the evidence overwhelmingly suggests otherwise.

The Use of Drones to Target Children

In addition to sniper fire, Israeli forces have deployed armed drones equipped with sniper rifles to target children from above. Known as quadcopters, these drones hover over civilian areas, picking off individuals with deadly accuracy. In December 2023, 13-year-old Amir Odeh was shot by a quadcopter while playing with his cousins at Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis. The bullet, fired through a window, killed Amir instantly.

These armed drones, capable of hovering silently and unnoticed, represent a new and terrifying tool in Israel’s military arsenal. Reports from Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor document multiple instances of children being killed by quadcopter drones, a tactic that further exemplifies the systematic targeting of civilians.

Key Facts:

• Israeli snipers have routinely shot Palestinian children in the head and chest, resulting in severe injuries or death.
• Medical professionals have reported that many children treated for gunshot wounds in Gaza were deliberately targeted, with sniper fire aimed at vital areas.
• High-caliber bullets used by snipers cause catastrophic injuries, leaving survivors with lifelong disabilities.
• Armed quadcopter drones equipped with sniper rifles have been used to kill children, such as 13-year-old Amir Odeh.
• Human rights organizations continue to document these cases as part of a broader pattern of targeting civilians in Gaza.

Conclusion

The deliberate targeting of children by Israeli snipers and drones is a clear violation of international law. Despite Israel’s denials, the evidence—confirmed by medical professionals, eyewitnesses, and human rights organizations—shows a pattern of systematic targeting of Palestinian civilians, including children.

This is not a case of collateral damage in conflict; it is a targeted campaign that must be recognized for what it is. The international community has a responsibility to confront these actions and demand accountability. Continued impunity for such acts will only lead to further atrocities.

The targeting of children is one of the most egregious violations of human rights, and it demands an immediate and thorough investigation. The world cannot afford to ignore the evidence any longer.