Remembering the children of Majdal Shams
The Majdal Shams, Golan Heights massacre took place on July 27, 2024 at 6:18 PM, when a rocket hit a football pitch. The resulting blast killed 12 children (ages 10-16) belonging to the Druze community, and injured at least 42 others, with most of the victims being between the ages of 10 and 20.
On a Saturday afternoon, 12 children kissed their parents goodbye, put on their sports outfits and rushed to the football pitch to meet their friends and play.
Alma Ayman Fakhr al-Din
Age: 11
1/5/2013 - 7/27/2024
Ameer Rabeea Abu Saleh
Age: 16
4/14/2008 - 7/27/2024
Fajr Laith Abu Saleh
Age: 16
10/25/2008 - 7/27/2024
Finis Adham Safadi
Age: 11
4/29/2013 - 7/27/2024
Guevara Ibrahim Ibrahim
Age: 10
12/3/2013 - 7/27/2024
Hazem Akram Abu Saleh
Age: 15
7/22/2009 - 7/27/2024
Iseel Nasha'at Ayoub
Age: 12
5/8/2012 - 7/27/2024
John Wadeea Ibrahim
Age: 13
3/17/2012 - 7/27/2024
Milar Muadad al-Sha'ar
Age: 10
6/21/2014 - 7/27/2024
Naji Taher al-Halabi
Age: 11
10/31/2013 - 7/27/2024
Nathem Fakher Saeb
Age: 16
5/11/2009 - 7/27/2024
Yazan Nayeif Abu Saleh
Age: 12
8/13/2013 - 7/27/2024
At 6:18 PM, sirens sounded in the village, alarming everyone that they must seek shelter within seconds. All the children panicked as the siren penetrated their joyous laughs. They rushed toward the shelter that was no further than 2 meters from the field’s entrance. Sadly, the rocket hit the field within seconds, and not all the children could reach safety in time.
While some were sitting near the entrance, managed to grab their loved ones and run to the shelter, those 12 souls did not make it. The rocket hit directly and claimed their lives instantly, while 42 others were injured, some more severely than others.
12 dreams were shattered that day. 12 families lost the light of their lives. And an entire community mourned the loss of innocent lives taken too soon.
