They will kill you: The Shooting of Aws al-Naasan

The shooting of Aws al-Naasan, a 14-year-old boy outside his school in Mughayyir village on April 21, 2026, starkly illustrates the escalating violence against Palestinian education in the occupied West Bank. This tragic event is not an isolated incident — it forms part of a disturbing trend where settler violence increasingly targets schools and students.

Aws was shot in the head by an Israeli reservist while he was studying at the Mughayyir boys’ secondary school. Classes were suspended for a week following this tragedy, which also claimed the life of another student, Jihad Abu Naim. The atmosphere of fear and danger surrounding education in this region cannot be overstated.

Key facts about recent events:

• Aws was in ninth grade at his school when he was killed.
• Following Aws’s death, Israeli settlers attacked and demolished a British- and European-funded school for Palestinian children.
• Israeli forces have disrupted education in Mughayyir previously by setting up checkpoints that intimidate students.
• The UN reports that Israeli attacks in Gaza have resulted in at least 792 teachers and 18,639 students being killed.

This ongoing violence has not only physical implications but psychological ones as well. Ahmed Abu Ali, a friend of Aws, expressed the fear felt by many students: “We want to go back to school, but our families are worried.” Such sentiments reflect a community grappling with trauma while striving for normalcy.

Tariq Hathaleen, a resident of Mughayyir, poignantly remarked, “This path is not just a road; it is the lifeline that connects our children to their education and to a sense of normal life.” Yet, this lifeline is under constant threat from military actions that seem designed to provoke confrontation — as noted by human rights organization B’Tselem.

James Elder from UNICEF emphasized that these attacks on Palestinian children’s education are systematic rather than sporadic. The pattern indicates an alarming trend toward ethnic cleansing — one that targets not just bodies but futures.

The uncertainty surrounding future developments is palpable. With classes suspended and schools under attack, parents and educators alike wonder how long this cycle of violence will continue. The international community watches closely as reports emerge from Mughayyir and beyond, calling attention to this critical issue affecting countless lives.