One child was shot while sitting on her mother’s lap. Another, hit by an airstrike as he stepped inside his home. Two others, killed while playing outside with friends.
Israeli gunfire has killed at least 18 children under the age of 15 in the occupied West Bank this year, according to the United Nations. That follows 29 children killed in 2023 and 23 in 2024 — a surge accompanying the outbreak of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023.
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Mohammed Rabee, 48, sits with his grandchildren beside photos of his 14-year-old son, Amer Rabee, who was killed by Israeli soldiers while in a roadside thicket in the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Anwar al-Heimouni, 29, smells the gloves of her 12-year-old son, Ayman al-Heimouni, who was killed by Israeli fire, in their home in the West Bank city of Hebron, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Iyad Rajab holds a phone with a photo of his 10-year-old son, Saddam Rajab, who was killed by Israeli fire, as he sits on the boy’s bed, in the West Bank city of Tulkarem, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
A blood-stained shirt that Tayma Asous says was worn by her 2-year-old daughter, Layla Al-Khatib, when she was shot in the head by Israeli gunfire, is laid out at their home in the village of Muthallath ash-Shuhada, near the West Bank city of Jenin, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Tayma Asous, 26, holds the favorite toy of her 2-year-old daughter, Layla Al-Khatib, who was killed after being shot in the head by Israeli gunfire, at their home in the village of Muthallath ash-Shuhada, near the West Bank city of Jenin, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Some were killed during Israeli military raids in dense neighborhoods, others by sniper fire in peaceful areas. The killings have risen as the Israeli military has stepped up operations in the occupied West Bank since the war’s onset in what it calls a crackdown on militants.
The Associated Press spoke with several families whose children were killed this year. With Israel's history of rarely punishing its soldiers for deadly violence, some families doubt there will ever be any accountability.
The military told the AP that its rules of engagement “strictly prohibit intentional fire” at civilians, calling claims it targets minors “false” and “baseless.” It said it had launched investigations into some cases.
But it gave no word that any soldiers have been disciplined, and the families say they’ve received little information about how and why their children were killed.
Here are some of their stories, as they’ve told them to the AP.
Tayma Asous, a water engineer and single mother living in a quiet Jenin neighborhood, recalls daughter Layla Al-Khatib as precocious and intelligent — always wanting to play pretend.
On Jan. 25, while Layla sat on Asous' lap before a family meal, an Israeli sniper fired through the second-floor window of the family home. The bullet hit Layla in the skull.
Blood trickled down Layla's head and onto Asous' hijab.
Layla's grandfather grabbed her limp body and ran downstairs, calling for help, as Asous followed in a daze. Four military jeeps were parked outside.
Asous approached the soldiers. She remembers one looked at her and said, “I am sorry.”
Asous says Layla was still breathing when the ambulance arrived, but died on the way to the hospital.
The military said it is still investigating Layla’s case and could not give further details.
Saddam Rajab lived with his father, Iyad, in a studio apartment in the restive city of Tulkarem.
The two had a special relationship — Saddam was Iyad's firstborn, the eldest of four. When Iyad was hospitalized with leg injuries, Saddam visited him constantly.
On the evening of Jan. 28, the two were sitting on the roof with friends. Saddam asked for his father’s phone and took it downstairs, stepping outside.
Security camera footage obtained by the AP shows what happened next: The boy, standing on the sidewalk with phone in hand, sees something off camera, turns and shots ring out. Saddam falls to the ground, screams “Mama!” and writhes in pain. Struggling on crutches, his father pulls Saddam by the collar of his sweater, leaving behind one of the boy's sneakers — and a bloodstain.
The 10-year-old died from his injuries 10 days later.
The military said investigation findings in the case were submitted to the military Advocate General, which decides whether to file charges. But it didn’t specify their findings.
Amer Rabee, an American Palestinian teenager born in New Jersey, was killed on a West Bank hilltop in his village of Turmus Ayya. He was picking almonds with friends on April 6, when Israeli soldiers shot him, his father, Mohammed, says.
A security camera in Turmus Ayya, where the population is mostly Palestinian American, captured the sound of 36 gunshots. Amer was killed, his two friends were injured.
After Amer died, soldiers stripped off his clothes, put his body in a blue bag and brought it to a military base. Mohammed later opened the bag and identified his body, pockmarked with bullets.
The military declined to say whether the investigation into Amer’s death had concluded. It said its forces had opened fire on “three terrorists,” who it said were throwing stones at a highway and endangering civilians.
Grainy video footage released by the military shows three people, including one who appears to throw something. The video is not timestamped.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson said further investigation was needed to determine what happened.
Anwar al-Heimouni, 29, says her son Ayman’s last words to her as he died were, “Mama, they shot me.”
In events captured by two security cameras, Ayman stepped outside his grandfather’s house in Hebron before being shot.
In the footage, three soldiers come up the alley to the house's driveway and appear to spot Ayman's body.
They retreat without offering him aid, joining three other soldiers at the street's end.
The family gathers around Ayman, and relatives carry his body down the street behind the withdrawing soldiers. He died Feb. 21.
Al-Heimouni and her husband, who works in security for the Palestinian Authority, have three other children: Ayem, 3; Tia Lara, 5; and Aysar, 10.
The kids all wear pendants emblazoned with Ayman's face. His mother keeps his bed made, as if he might return at any point.
Military police are investigating Ayman’s case, the military said, but it could not give further details.
It was Feb. 21 — day 32 of Israel’s military operation in the Jenin refugee camp — and Rimas Amouri wanted to play outside, despite her mother’s protestations.
Within seconds of stepping outside, gunshots sounded and there was yelling, her mother, Rudeina, says. Rimas had been shot in the back.
“I was screaming, ‘Please calm down, calm down.’ Then they started shooting at me,” Rudeina said.
Ten soldiers surrounded the house, she says, shooting from about 25 meters (yards) away every time she tried to run to her daughter. After 30 minutes, it was too late.
“I came closer and lifted her up. Her face had turned yellow,” Rudeina said. “I knew she was gone.”
Rimas’ father, Omar, says they “needed a special permit from the Israelis” to enter the graveyard and bury her.
Military police are investigating Rimas’ case, the military said, but it could not provide further details.
The Jazar family celebrated Ramadan this year with one person missing.
Ahmad, who wanted to become an interior designer, was shot by Israeli forces in his hometown, Sebastia, on Jan. 19.
Neither of his parents was present when he was shot. Neither knows why he was killed.
“I don’t let my young ones run in the street alone anymore,” his mother, Wafa, said. “I wait at the door whenever they go out, waiting until they are home again.”
Military police are investigating Ahmad’s case, the military said, but it could not provide further details.
A group of men was huddled outside the Gharbieh house in the Jenin refugee camp on Jan. 14, eating sweets.
It was late and cold, remembers Ashraf Gharbieh, the lone survivor of that night.
His son, Mahmoud, stood up and headed inside to get a spoon. There was a flash of light. The first missile landed. The next came seconds later. Then a third.
Six people died. The elder Gharbieh was left with hearing damage.
The military said the airstrike killed several militants and that it was “aware of claims” that an uninvolved civilian was harmed. It did not say whether it was investigating Mahmoud’s death.
Of his son, Gharbieh says, “I wanted to die with him.”
Associated Press journalists Ahmed Daraghmeh in Ramallah, West Bank, and Areej Hazboun and Ibrahim Hazboun in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
Mohammed Rabee, 48, sits with his grandchildren beside photos of his 14-year-old son, Amer Rabee, who was killed by Israeli soldiers while in a roadside thicket in the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Anwar al-Heimouni, 29, smells the gloves of her 12-year-old son, Ayman al-Heimouni, who was killed by Israeli fire, in their home in the West Bank city of Hebron, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Iyad Rajab holds a phone with a photo of his 10-year-old son, Saddam Rajab, who was killed by Israeli fire, as he sits on the boy’s bed, in the West Bank city of Tulkarem, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
A blood-stained shirt that Tayma Asous says was worn by her 2-year-old daughter, Layla Al-Khatib, when she was shot in the head by Israeli gunfire, is laid out at their home in the village of Muthallath ash-Shuhada, near the West Bank city of Jenin, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Tayma Asous, 26, holds the favorite toy of her 2-year-old daughter, Layla Al-Khatib, who was killed after being shot in the head by Israeli gunfire, at their home in the village of Muthallath ash-Shuhada, near the West Bank city of Jenin, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford talks about having an All-Pro season at age 37, credits his teammates and coach Sean McVay for his success and says his primary focus is on advancing in the playoffs.
Rob Maaddi, host: Welcome to On Football, I’m Rob Maaddi. We’re down to eight teams in the running for the Super Bowl. Only eight get a chance to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy. We will break down all of the NFL divisional-round games in Pro Picks coming up. Our guest this week, LA Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Matthew, last week, was named first team Associated Press All-Pro for the first time in his 17-year NFL career. He had a very cool reaction when I shared the news with him. So did Puka Nacua, Will Anderson, and a bunch of other guys. If you missed it, check out my social, AP social. All of those reactions, very cool. It’s always great to see guys react to wonderful news.
Matthew Stafford is the only one of the eight remaining starting quarterbacks in the playoffs who has actually won a Super Bowl, but no one has more pressure than Josh Allen. Last week in Jacksonville on the road, he willed the Bills to victory. He kept getting knocked down, took a physical beating and carried them to the finish line. Got the W and this week they’re on the road against Denver. We’ll break down that game, coming up. But for whatever reason, it seems that Josh Allen is held to a higher standard. A lot of analysts, especially former players, are so eager to see him fail, and they want to put all of Buffalo’s hopes squarely on Josh Allen. So if receivers drop the ball, running backs fumble, defense gives up 50 points, they’re ready and eager to blame Josh Allen for the loss. Football is the ultimate team sport and while the quarterback and someone of the magnitude of Josh Allen is gonna have a lot of input on how the game plays out, it’s still a team sport, and you gotta wait to see how it plays out before you dish out the blame for a loss that didn’t even occur. It just doesn’t make any sense.
Matthew Stafford had his best season at age 37. I spent a few minutes chatting with him last week about being a first team All-Pro, playing for coach Sean McVay and more. I’m down here in Tampa, so I got to see the tail end of Tom Brady, what he did at 43, 44, 45. What you did this year at 37 is right up there with the greatest seasons of all time. I appreciate that. What’s it take to be able to get that done, man?
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams quarterback: Great teammates, to be honest with you. A lot of hard work and dedication to try and keep myself upright and out there for those guys because that’s who I care about. But I’m lucky to play with a bunch of great players that, you know, help me along the way, make my job easy, and you know my job is just to get them the rock and as best I possibly can. So it’s been a whole lot of fun, a lot of people involved in keeping me healthy and going, but it’s, it’s been a great year. It’s been fun.
MAADDI: How much do you appreciate playing for a guy like Coach McVay?
STAFFORD: I love it. He’s close in age to me. We’ve got a lot of great shared experiences now throughout the years. And just my appreciation for him is huge. I just love playing for him. Love getting to spend time with him. Love the way he coaches our team, me in particular, He’s as steady of a human being as I’ve been around. And I appreciate that about him.
MAADDI: I know you’re all about team goals and you’re trying to win another Super Bowl, but do you set time aside at all? Do you, are you able to reflect about the personal things, the personal accomplishments? Is there any, like you want to check off, check this, I did this, I got that, you know, anything like that.
STAFFORD: Um, you know, I think I’m just so in the middle of it right now, you know, and, and there’s so much to do and so much to, uh, you know, to accomplish as a team. I really want to keep my focus on that. Obviously, I do understand and appreciate, um, you know, the importance of, uh this game and, and, uh you know what it’s meant throughout the years and the history of it, but at the same time, I just want to do everything I can to be the best teammate I can and help our guys continue, to continue this journey because it has been so fun. We’ve got such a great group. I want to make sure that I do everything in my power to make sure that we get to come back to work next week and do it again.
MAADDI: How special would an MVP be if that were to happen?
STAFFORD: It would mean a lot. I think it would be an unbelievable team award because especially the way I play the game as quarterback, I’m not running around holding the ball for forever. I’m getting it to guys that are making great plays and doing unbelievable things. So many guys to thank if that ever did happen. But it is... It’s a special one. It’s one that means a lot. I understand the history of this game and so many great players before me and to be mentioned in any kind of breath with those guys would mean a lot.
MAADDI: Well, Matthew. Here’s one you don’t have to wait on. We’re gonna announce on Saturday The Associated Press All-Pro rosters. You are the first-team quarterback.
STAFFORD: Oh, hell, that’s amazing. I appreciate that. I did not know that was coming. Man, played a lot of years. A lot of respect for this game. A lot respect for the other guys that do what I do. It’s not an easy thing to do. So, it means a lot. I really appreciate that, thank you.
MAADDI: Good luck down the road and hope to see you maybe in San Francisco.
STAFFORD: Hey, I appreciate it, Rob. Thanks, man.
MAADDI: Time for some Pro Picks, we were 5-1 straight up last week, 4-2 against the spread, my best bet one didn’t cover, upset special was money again. The 4-pack was a 2-pack last week because I just didn’t love the games. This week we’re back to a full four-pack, which is 53-20-1 overall, 45-28-1 against the number that start with the best bet and again I’m looking at the LA Rams, 13-5, at Chicago. The Bears are 12-6. The Rams are 3.5 point road favorites. Matthew Stafford had to rally LA after they blew a 14-0 lead against Carolina in a game that shouldn’t have been that close. Ended up winning 34-31. The Ram’s are going to need an effort out of their defense. Over the last five games, LA has averaged giving up 30 points. Meanwhile, the Bears are the comeback kids. They were down 21-3 at halftime against Green Bay. Caleb Williams led them to their seventh fourth-quarter comeback win this year. They just can’t continue to do that. You’ve got to play a full four quarter game or else at some point it’s going to catch up to you and I think that’s this week. I’m taking the Rams, 30-23. For my upset special, which they are 14-5 straight up, 15-4 against the spread this season, I’m looking at Houston at New England. Texans are 13-5, Patriots are 15-3, New England is a 3-point favorite, Houston has the No. 1 defense in the NFL, and they showed it against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers. Ended Mike Tomlin’s coaching career in Pittsburgh, dominated that game, scored two touchdowns on defense. They have an All-Pro edge rusher in Will Anderson Jr. Their cornerback Derek Stingley is an All-Pro. They just need CJ Stroud to protect the football this week and I think he will. The Patriots also, last week against the Chargers, they relied on defense, they won 16-3, they shut down Justin Herbert. Drake Maye led the team in rushing. He had a great season in his second year in the NFL. They’re gonna need him to be outstanding, elite against this defense, against Houston, the best in the NFL. I see the Texans sneaking in, 17-16. Next, the Saturday games. Buffalo, 13-5, at Denver, 14-3. Broncos are just a one-point favorite. Josh Allen, as I said earlier, he did everything last week. Now he’s gonna face the number two defense. He’s going to need more help from his teammates. Rushing champion James Cook had only 46 yards against Jacksonville. He’s got to get going this week. The Broncos, they’re also stacked on defense. They’ve got an All-Pro in the interior of the line, Zach Allen. Nik Bonitto on the edge is a monster. Patrick Surtain at cornerback was the defensive player of the year last year. They had 68 sacks, franchise record this season on offense. Bo Nix, they’ve also been comeback kids. He’s led seven fourth-quarter comebacks. He’s going to go against the NFL’s number one pass defense. But the Broncos are the number one seed. They were home, they were off last week. Meanwhile, the Bills played on Sunday. They got a little bit of a shorter rest. I like the Broncos, 24-22. Lastly, San Francisco, 13-5, at Seattle, 14-3. The Seahawks are 7.5-point favorites. It’s the third time these two teams meet. They played for the NFC’s number one seed in Week 18 in San Fran. Seattle won that 13-3. 49ers beat the Seahawks earlier in the season on the road. Last week, the Niners lost George Kittle and still found a way to beat the Eagles, eliminate the defending Super Bowl champions. Christian McCaffrey had two touchdowns, Brock Purdy made all the plays. They keep losing star players, whether it’s Nick Bosa and Fred Warner earlier in the season, and they continue to find ways to be resilient to win, to be in this position. Meanwhile, Seattle, number one seed, they were off last week, they’re at home. They’re gonna need Sam Darnold not to make mistakes. The Niners have to make Sam Darnold beat them They’ve got to try and to shut down that run and put it all on Sam Darnold. I do not like the fact that the 49ers played a Sunday game on the East Coast and now have to play on a Saturday. Terrible decision-making by the NFL schedule makers They could have put Seattle and San Fran on Sunday because the Bears and the Rams played on Saturday, so they get an extra day rest. And the 49ers get the shaft. I think all of those injuries, the travel, the time, everything catches up to them. I’m taking the Seahawks, 23-20. That’s it for this week. Thank you to Matthew Stafford.
Thank you for watching and listening to On Football and thank you to Haya Panjwani and Mike Hempen for producing this episode. Please check out APNews.com for all of the Pro Picks, On Football analysis and more NFL news.
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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford answers question after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
