Blinding of a schoolboy in Beit Awwa

on Monday, October 27, 14-year-old Nazih Masalma from the West Bank village of Beit Awwa was severely injured by Israali soldiers while waiting with his sister for the school bus. The parents, Iyad, 45, and Rula, 34, were both home when their two children left for school, waiting for the school bus. According to his family, a convoy of Israeli army vehicles passed by, and a soldier in the last jeep fired a tear-gas canister at Nazih from close range striking him directly in the face. The impact destroyed his right eye and seriously injured his face and jaw. His sister fainted, and Nazih was evacuated unconscious to several hospitals, where doctors removed his eye and performed multiple surgeries.

Nazih Masalma was a student at Beit Awwa Secondary School for Boys. He was taken to Al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron for treatment, where his injuries were described as critical. His sister also suffered from tear gas inhalation and was transferred to Dura Governmental Hospital for treatment.

The family lives in poor conditions, and Nazih has since become withdrawn, avoiding light and human contact. They say he refuses to go near the spot where the incident occurred. Neighbors reportedly have camera footage but are afraid to give it to the army.

The IDF spokesperson said the allegation was “not known” to them, raising the possibility that the soldiers involved did not report the incident. The family is seeking help for Nazih’s long recovery, including obtaining an artificial eye.