Mohammad Rezeq Salah Shehada

Their life

Mohammad Rezeq Salah Shehada (2007–2022) was a 14-year-old Palestinian boy from Al-Khader, a town south of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. Mohammad was a seventh-grade student at a government-run school in his hometown. On February 22, 2022, he was fatally shot by Israeli soldiers during a military incursion into Al-Khader. Reports indicate that soldiers used live ammunition against local protesters, including Mohammad, and prevented medical aid from reaching him. His killing sparked widespread protests, mourning, and a one-day strike in Al-Khader. His family and local activists strongly denied Israeli claims that he was involved in violent acts prior to his shooting. Mohammad’s death drew international attention to the ongoing violence affecting Palestinian children and the lack of accountability in such incidents.

Mohammad Rezeq Salah Shehada was a 14-year-old Palestinian boy from the town of Al-Khader, located south of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. He was a seventh-grade student attending a government-run school in his hometown. Mohammad’s life was tragically cut short on February 22, 2022, during an Israeli military operation in Al-Khader.

On that day, Israeli soldiers, including undercover officers, entered the Bakoush area in western Al-Khader. Their incursion sparked protests from local Palestinians. According to eyewitnesses and medical sources, the soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas canisters, and concussion grenades at the protesters. Mohammad was shot with live rounds and critically wounded. Medical personnel reported that a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance was prevented from reaching him in time.

Video footage from the scene showed Mohammad lying on the ground with Israeli soldiers nearby after being shot, with one soldier reportedly checking for signs of life. Th

How they died

Mohammad Rezeq Salah Shehada was killed by live gunfire from Israeli soldiers during a military raid and protests in Al-Khader. He was shot with live ammunition and succumbed to his wounds on the scene. Medical sources confirm that the soldiers fired many live rounds at protesters, including Mohammad. The killing was followed by a refusal to allow timely medical assistance to reach him, which likely contributed to his death.

On February 22, 2022, during a military incursion by Israeli soldiers into the Bakoush area of Al-Khader, south of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, 14-year-old Mohammad Rezeq Salah Shehada was fatally wounded by live gunfire.

According to multiple medical and eyewitness reports, the Israeli military forces fired live ammunition, along with rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas canisters, and concussion grenades, to disperse local Palestinian protesters who had gathered in response to the soldiers’ presence. Mohammad was among those shot by live rounds.

Video evidence from the scene shows Mohammad lying on the ground after being shot, with soldiers present. One soldier appeared to be checking if Mohammad had a heartbeat, while another soldier stood nearby. Despite the severity of his injuries, a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance was reportedly prevented from accessing the area promptly, delaying critical medical assistance.

The Israeli army stated that the soldiers opened fire after spotting three Palestinians allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails near the site, claiming that Mohammad was one of the suspects shot after engaging in such actions. However, Mohammad’s family strongly refuted these allegations, citing his recent arm injury that limited his mobility, making it impossible for him to have thrown Molotov cocktails or stones.

Mohammad’s father recounted that upon hearing about his son being shot, he rushed to the scene but was threatened by soldiers with further violence if he did not leave. This prevented immediate family intervention or emergency care.

The shooting caused severe wounds that Mohammad did not survive. The Israeli forces took his body away in an ambulance and initially withheld it from the family for burial, prolonging the family's distress.

The killing of Mohammad exemplifies the fatal consequences of Israeli military actions during protests and incursions in Palestinian towns and raises serious concerns about the use of live ammunition against minors and civilians, the obstruction of medical aid, and the broader context of impunity surrounding such incidents.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Mohammad Rezeq Salah Shehada, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources