Gaza Doctors Expose Disturbing Pattern of Children Shot in Head and Chest
Doctors working in Gaza have revealed a troubling trend of children suffering gunshot wounds to the head and chest, suggesting deliberate targeting in the conflict. According to a recent investigation published by the Dutch daily de Volkskrant, 17 doctors and a nurse from countries including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands reported treating at least 114 children aged 15 or younger with single gunshot wounds to vital areas, mostly resulting in death. These cases were recorded in 10 medical centers across Gaza from late 2023 to mid-2025.
Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, a US trauma surgeon, described arriving at the European Hospital in Gaza in March 2024 and seeing four boys under the age of 10 with identical head wounds in just 48 hours. In the next two weeks, he treated nine more children with similar injuries. Sidhwa’s experience was echoed by other colleagues across different hospitals, leading them to question the cause of these uniform and fatal wounds.
Medical experts consulted for the report believe the pattern points to intentional fire, possibly by snipers or drones. Forensic analysis and doctors’ testimonies strongly suggest that these injuries are not the result of random violence, but deliberate targeting. Despite concerns about being barred from returning to Gaza for speaking out, several physicians insisted on raising global awareness about what they witnessed.
Many doctors now feel that silence is not an option, especially as the UN reports Israel has barred more than 100 international health workers from entering Gaza since March 2025. Advocacy group Save the Children reports that over 20,000 children have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, highlighting the unprecedented scale of the humanitarian crisis.
Source: Anadolu Agency, TRT World.
