Two girls shot in Gaza

The BBC World Service brought together the stories of two-year-old Lea Al-Majdalawi, and six-year-old Mira Tanboura was killed in separate events in Gaza in November 2023, in areas where the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operates.

In response to our findings, IDF said that the details of the cases of Layan and Mira were recorded and “will be examined by the authorities”. “Intentional damage to civilians, especially children, is strictly prohibited.”

Layan and Mira are just two of the 160 children’s cases, which were shot in the war in Gaza and collected accounts.

In 95 of these cases, we found that the child was hit from the beginning or chest. In 59 of them, we witnessed the witnesses directly or through human rights organizations and health officials. Witnesses claimed that 57 of these children were shot by IDF and two were shot by the Palestinians – one in the celebration gunfire and the other is in the gang conflict.

We don’t explain what happened for the remaining 36 of 95 cases. Israel prohibits foreign reporters from entering independently in Gaza and makes the details of destruction and displacement.

The Red Cross International Committee said that the BBC cannot accept a “new normal” type of war that allows the world to be shot.