Grief has once again gripped Gaza after two young boys were killed while trying to help their families survive the harsh realities of daily life.
Mohammad Al Zawaraa, aged 14, and his 13-year-old cousin Suleiman were out collecting firewood in northern Gaza when they were fatally shot. According to their families, the boys had gone out early in the morning, hoping to find wood to cook meals and keep their households warm during the cold winter.
Their bodies were later taken to Al Shifa Hospital, where heartbreaking scenes unfolded as family members struggled to comprehend the loss. Videos from the hospital showed one father holding his son’s lifeless body, overwhelmed by grief.
Relatives described the boys as inseparable — close cousins and best friends who were full of life and kindness. Their uncle said the children simply wanted to ease the burden on their parents, never imagining that such a simple act would cost them their lives.
While the Israeli military stated that its troops had identified individuals posing a threat near a restricted area, family members firmly rejected this claim, insisting the boys were nowhere near any danger zone and were innocent children. They said the area where the boys were killed is not clearly marked and is close to a hospital.
This incident is not isolated. Other children in Gaza have also lost their lives while collecting firewood, a task many families depend on due to fuel shortages. These repeated tragedies highlight the growing risks faced by children trying to meet basic needs amid ongoing hardship.
According to health officials, deaths continue to be recorded even after the ceasefire came into effect, adding to the already staggering toll since the conflict began in October 2023. Families across Gaza remain trapped in a cycle of loss, fear and survival, where even everyday acts can turn deadly.
As parents bury their children and communities mourn, the deaths of Mohammad and Suleiman stand as a painful reminder of young lives cut short not on a battlefield, but while trying to help their families endure another day.