‘It’s not by mistake’: A family demands justice after 7-month-old killed by Israeli soldier

Family Demands Justice After 7-Month-Old Killed by Israeli Soldier

It s not by mistake – It’s not by mistake—this was intentional, the Abu Haikal family insists. On June 5, a heartbreaking incident occurred in the West Bank, where a 7-month-old infant, Sam, was fatally shot by an Israeli soldier. The tragedy unfolded as Fahd Abu Haikal, his wife Dania, and a third party drove through a city in the occupied territory. A group of soldiers was ahead, and as the vehicle slowed, a rifle shot pierced the windshield, grazing the steering wheel and striking Sam in the head. The 13th child killed by Israeli forces in the region this year, according to B’Tselem, the Israeli human rights group, the event has reignited calls for accountability. Since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, B’Tselem has recorded 236 child deaths at the hands of Israeli military personnel.

Video Evidence Supports ‘It’s Not by Mistake’ Claim

Footage obtained by B’Tselem and shared with CNN contradicts the Israeli military’s initial statement. The clip shows Fahd’s car decelerating, not accelerating, as it approaches the soldiers. The filmer, who described the scene to B’Tselem, noted that the soldier fired as the vehicle was nearly stationary. All three witnesses—Fahd, Dania, and the passing driver—confirmed the same individual, positioned within 30 feet of the car, was the one who pulled the trigger. “It’s not by mistake,” Fahd later emphasized, stating, “He shot directly to kill.” This assertion aligns with the video, which suggests the shooting was deliberate rather than accidental.

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When you see someone in front of you and aim at them, it’s not by mistake,” Fahd added. “That’s how it happened.”

The Israeli military initially claimed the soldier “perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them” and “responded with single shots toward the vehicle.” However, the footage challenges this narrative, showing the car was stationary when the gunfire erupted. Eyewitnesses also noted that no medical aid was immediately offered, leaving the family to grapple with the aftermath alone. This absence of support deepens the family’s belief that the incident was intentional.

Mothers’ Grief and Physical Trauma

Sam’s mother, Dania Abu Haikal, suffered severe injuries from the same bullet that killed her son. The projectile entered her right cheek and exited behind her ear, causing extensive damage. Shrapnel fragments remain embedded in her chest, near her heart, and doctors chose not to perform surgery to remove them due to the risk of further harm. Dania’s pain is not only physical but emotional, as she reflects on the loss of her only child. “It’s not just the wound—it’s the chest that used to hold him,” she said, her voice trembling. “Now, it’s aching with the weight of his absence.”

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I was breastfeeding him,” she recounted. “Now, my chest is hurting me.”

Dania described the anguish of holding her son as he bled out. “They gave him blood, but it wasn’t enough,” she said. “Nothing could save him.” The footage of the aftermath captures her cradling Sam’s body, pressing her hand against his head in a futile attempt to stop the bleeding. The cries of her mother and grandmother echo in the background, underscoring the collective grief of the family and the community.

Investigation and Evidence Confiscation

After the incident, the Israeli military began an investigation into the shooting. However, local residents and business owners reported that Israeli forces returned to the area hours later and confiscated all CCTV footage from the street. This action has raised concerns about transparency and the suppression of evidence. CNN attempted to retrieve additional video but faced challenges, leaving the existing clip as the primary proof of the tragedy.

The family, cooperating with the inquiry, believes the soldier’s actions were premeditated. “It’s not by mistake—this was a calculated act,” Fahd’s mother, Feryal Abu Haikal, said. “They told us to return, to turn around, but they shot him anyway.” The family’s testimony, combined with the video evidence, paints a compelling case of deliberate violence against an innocent child. Their account underscores a growing sense of betrayal, as they question whether the soldier’s aim was accidental or purposeful.

Community Impact and Collective Suffering

In the wake of the incident, friends and family gathered in Bethlehem to mourn Sam’s loss. The mourning house, filled with quiet visitors, became a space for shared grief and solidarity. Dania, still recovering from her injuries, lay on a bed in the corner, her tears a constant reminder of the devastation. The room, decorated with photos of Sam smiling, serves as a testament to the life he had, now tragically cut short. “It’s not by mistake—this is a loss that will echo,” said a local resident, reflecting on the broader implications of the event.

The tragedy has deepened the emotional toll on the community, highlighting the vulnerability of children in the conflict. “Every mother who loses her baby is a victim of the same system,” one neighbor explained. “It’s not by mistake—it’s a pattern we’ve seen before.” As the investigation continues, the Abu Haikal family remains steadfast in their demand for justice, their story now a symbol of the wider struggle for accountability in the region.