A Palestinian mother in Gaza has been left devastated after her only surviving son, eight-year-old Mu'taz, was shot dead while playing inside a tent in the al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, local sources said on Tuesday.
The boy's father and brother were killed in an Israeli airstrike last year, leaving Mu'taz as the sole remaining child. His death comes as violence has continued in Gaza despite a ceasefire that took effect in October 2025, with health authorities in Gaza reporting that over 1,110 people have been killed since the truce began.
Heartbreaking footage showed the grieving mother clutching the body of her son as she struggled to come to terms with the loss.
"Your father is gone, your brother is gone, and now you too. You are my support. By Allah, you are my support, my son. Wake up, my beloved son. Wake up, my son. Wake up, my heart. I wish the bullet had hit my heart instead of yours, my son. By Allah, I wish it had been in my heart instead of yours. May Allah have mercy on your soul. My heart, my beloved child. May Allah have mercy on your soul, my son. Who will sit beside me now, my son? My support is gone," cried the mother.
A woman close to Mu'taz's mother questioned angrily, "What did this child do wrong? What did he do to be killed? He was sitting and playing — what was his fault?"
The tragic killing has shaken the entire community, with young friends of Mu'taz also left shattered.
"You left me, my friend? You left me? I was joking with you yesterday. Just yesterday, I was still joking with you, my dear. May Allah have mercy on him," said one friend as he bade farewell.
The killing has drawn renewed attention to the fragile situation in Gaza, where civilians, particularly children, continue to bear the brunt of ongoing hostilities despite the ceasefire. The international community has repeatedly called for the protection of civilians and a lasting end to the violence.
Heartbreaking scenes as grieving Gaza mother mourns loss of only surviving son
