Palestinian mother Alia Abdel Majid Al-Hallaq has spoken out about the devastating loss of her nine-year-old son Mohammad, who was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers in a West Bank incident that has left many questions unanswered. The tragic event has reignited concerns about the safety and security of children living under occupation, and its impact is being felt across the UK, where there are increasing calls for greater diplomatic pressure to be applied to resolve the conflict.
Mrs Al-Hallaq recounts the family's life in ar-Rihiya village, south of Hebron, as centred around providing for their five children. Her husband works long hours for a modest income and she supplements their earnings by selling homemade sweets. The family had been struggling to make ends meet, but Mohammad's recent acquisition of a new backpack from Unicef had brought some joy into their lives.
The incident, which occurred on 16 October 2025, unfolded after Mohammad went to play football on a nearby school playground. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Israeli soldiers entered the village and began firing tear gas near the school, prompting Mohammad and his friends to flee. An eyewitness claims that a soldier then fired at Mohammad, striking him in the pelvis approximately 100 metres from the initial scene of violence. The mother is struggling to comprehend why her son was shot, questioning if merely being a Palestinian child was deemed sufficient reason.
The West Bank has seen an alarming rise in child casualties in recent years, with 54 children reportedly killed in 2025 alone. Mrs Al-Hallaq's testimony highlights the emotional and psychological impact of the ongoing conflict on families in the region, where there is constant anticipation of loss that characterises the experience of Palestinian mothers. The incident has left her family among an increasing number who have lost children in similar circumstances.
As diplomatic efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continue, the UK government's response to this latest incident will be closely watched by observers. With the UN General Assembly set to meet later this month to discuss the Middle East peace process, there are growing calls for greater urgency and action from British policymakers.
The tragic loss of Mohammad Al-Hallaq serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict in the West Bank, and its ripple effects on families across the UK. As one of five children born to Palestinian parents living in the UK, this young boy's fate raises important questions about the impact of foreign policy on British communities.
The incident also highlights concerns about the safety and security of children living under occupation. With many UK-based charities working tirelessly to support Palestinian families affected by conflict, there is growing pressure on policymakers to do more to address the root causes of this humanitarian crisis.