Rafeef Murshed Abu Dayer

Their life

Rafeef Murshed Abu Dayer was a 10-year-old Palestinian girl living in Gaza City. On May 17, 2021, she was killed by shrapnel from an Israeli airstrike that struck the Ghazi Shawa residential building on Al-Wahda Street. At the time of the attack, Rafeef was sitting in the garden with her family, having lunch—a moment of normalcy amidst an increasingly dangerous and volatile environment.

Rafeef Murshed Abu Dayer was a 10-year-old Palestinian girl living in Gaza City. On May 17, 2021, she was killed by shrapnel from an Israeli airstrike that struck the Ghazi Shawa residential building on Al-Wahda Street. At the time of the attack, Rafeef was sitting in the garden with her family, having lunch—a moment of normalcy amidst an increasingly dangerous and volatile environment.

The explosion caused by the strike sent metal fragments flying into nearby homes and courtyards. Rafeef was struck by shrapnel, leading to severe internal bleeding. Despite being close to her family, who were also caught in the blast, Rafeef succumbed to her injuries.

She was one of eleven children who had been receiving trauma counselling from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) as part of its Better Learning Programme, which aims to support children living under the chronic stress of war and occupation. Her death not only robbed her of a future but underscored the grim reality that no space—even a family garden—was safe for children in Gaza during the 2021 escalation.

Rafeef’s story stands as a heartbreaking symbol of the indiscriminate violence faced by civilians, and the urgent need for accountability and protection of children in conflict zones.

How they died

Killed by airstrike

Killed by shrapnel from an Israeli airstrike while having lunch with her family in their garden. She suffered internal bleeding due to the force of the explosion.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Rafeef Murshed Abu Dayer, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources