More than 10,000 Palestinian children have been killed in just over 100 days of Israeli bombardment. That’s nearly 100 every day.

Akram Abu Shammala was one of them. He was born on November 2, 2020.

He had six siblings and was the youngest child in his family. His mother says, “Akram was a source of innocence, joy, and humor in our household.”

On October 26, 3-year-old Akram, accompanied by his two brothers (Abd Rahim, 8, and Ibrahim, 5), went to the supermarket to buy some snacks. Children love snacks.

Ibrahim bought what he wanted and ran ahead of Akram and Abd Rahim to go home. Abd Rahim stayed with Akram, since the latter was so young. After he and Akram finished buying what they wanted, they left the supermarket, holding hands and heading for home. But an Israeli missile was faster. Israeli forces bombed a nearby group of houses in a single strike, wiping out dozens of lives and dreams.

The Israeli airstrike was swift and brutal, killing Akram and severely injuring both of his brothers.

Akram’s brother relates what happens

“I was holding Akram’s hand while we were walking home and talking to each other, when the bomb dropped,” recalled Abd Rahim. “Akram was blown away by the force of the explosion and ended up somewhere else.”

Abd Rahim fell silent, then said, “I saw how Akram was wounded. He hit his head on some stairs and got hurt. Blood was pouring out of him. I called out to him over and over, but he didn’t answer. I wanted to go to him, but I couldn’t. A big rock pinned my leg down, and I was badly hurt myself. I was bleeding a lot, but I couldn’t tell where the bleeding was coming from.”

Akram’s mother shares a secret

While I talked to Abd Rahim, his mother whispered in my ear that Abd Rahim and Ibrahim didn’t know that Akram had been killed. We were silent for a moment, and then the mother added, “Abd Rahim has suffered serious injuries. His spleen has been removed, he has undergone surgery on his leg and had platinum inserted, and he was injured by shrapnel in various parts of his body.”

I asked her, “What about Ibrahim?”

She replied, “Ibrahim is under observation. He was injured by shrapnel in various parts of his body, and the doctors told us that they may need to remove part of his spleen, but the results will not be known for several days.”

After a brief moment of silence, we heard the sound of a rattle in the bed opposite Abd Rahim and Ibrahim. Abd Rahim turned to me and asked, “Do you hear that toy?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

He continued, “I’m going to buy one for Akram when I recover and go home, because he was so brave. They told me that his wound was stitched up and now he’s back home.”

I felt a lump in my throat and tears welled up in my eyes. I continued the interview with a heavy heart and a choking sensation in my throat.

Abd Rahim resumed his conversation with his mother, inquiring about how much a rattle would cost, so he could purchase one from his savings.

She informed him of the cost.

He responded, “We’ll buy it when I get home, after I see Akram and hug him.”

A crushing pain gripped my heart.

Before Akram went out to buy snacks with his brothers, says his mother, they had gone to visit their grandmother. The older woman gave him some biscuits and he was happy. He had breakfast with his family and started playing.

“Before Akram went out to the supermarket, he climbed on the dresser and jumped on the bed, saying: ‘I’m flying, I’m free.’” Then he went out to buy some snacks and didn’t come back.

Akram, his mother continues, was a child of remarkable kindness who possessed a natural sociability. He cherished the company of other children, engaging with them in play and adventures. Among his favorite activities was riding his bicycle.

Next door to Akram’s home lived a horse, with whom he formed a deep bond. Akram would often feed and play with the horse, exhibiting a natural compassion and tenderness that his mother fondly remarked upon.

She described Akram as an intelligent child with delicate, innocent features. He was an eager mimic, imitating the actions of his siblings and other figures in his life.

Akram will never return

Akram went out to buy snacks and never returned. The loss of Akram will remain a weight on the hearts of his family, and  a deep wound in the mind of his brother Abd Rahim, who witnessed Akram’s murder.

How will Abd Rahim cope with the shock when he finds out Akram is dead? How will he erase the image of his brother bleeding? When the family gathers together, how will they cope with Akram’s empty chair?

Akram and his family are among my extended relatives.