DaysofPal— In the Al-Zeitoun neighborhood in southeastern Gaza, an ordinary family moment turned into tragedy when 11-year-old Saleh Badawi was shot and killed, despite an ongoing ceasefire.
Saleh had been standing beside his mother, helping her prepare food by cutting garlic and onions.
Smiling, he asked if he was doing well, but moments later, a single Israeli bullet ended his life.
The boy, who carried the name of his father, also killed years earlier, was known among his family as quiet and devoted.
He had memorized the Quran and dreamed of becoming an architect to help rebuild Gaza.
“There was nothing unusual before it happened,” said his grandfather, Mohammad Badawi, who had raised him since birth.
“He never saw his father. He was killed while Saleh was still in his mother’s womb.” He added.
The family had only recently returned from forced displacement in southern Gaza. Despite difficult conditions, Saleh tried to live like any other child.
In a video recorded before his death, he introduced himself and spoke of his dreams: “My name is Saleh Saleh Badawi, I am 11 years old. My favorite hobby is playing football, and I hope to become an architect to rebuild Gaza’s destroyed homes.”
That dream was cut short on April 16, when he was killed in his home, even though a ceasefire agreement had been in effect since October 10, 2025.
His brother, Mohammad Badawi Jr., recalled the final moments, adding, “Just seconds before he was killed, he asked our mother, ‘Is this how I should cut the garlic?'” She said yes. Then he turned, and the bullet struck him.”
According to family members, the apartment they were living in had already been heavily damaged, with walls partially destroyed.
The bullet reportedly struck part of the ceiling before hitting Saleh directly.
His mother collapsed in grief, holding onto his grave until she could no longer stand. She was later taken home, where memories of her son surround her.
The killing has reopened deep wounds for the family. Saleh’s father was killed in 2014 by shrapnel from an Israeli missile while standing outside their home. When his second son was born, the family named him after his father, a name that would later mark a shared fate.
“Saleh always wished to see his father,” his grandfather said. “He would joke sometimes, saying he had seen him.” He added.
The grandfather also recalled trying to comfort the boy over the years.
“I told him that the occupation does not distinguish between young and old,” he said, adding that the ongoing violence aims to instill fear and force displacement.
According to local health authorities, Saleh is among 784 people killed since the ceasefire took effect, and one of more than 72,000 killed since the war began in October 2023, the majority of them women and children.
Despite his young age, Saleh leaves behind a story that reflects the broader toll of the conflict: a childhood interrupted, a family grieving across generations, and a dream of rebuilding Gaza that remains unfulfilled.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=74114
