Shocking Incident: 11-Year-Old Shot While Watching New Years Fireworks From Roof

A festive night of celebration turned into a medical emergency for a family in the Lower Galilee when an 11-year-old boy was struck by a stray bullet while watching New Year's fireworks. The incident, which took place in the town of Maghar, highlights the lethal danger of celebratory gunfire that often accompanies holiday events in the region. The young boy had climbed to the roof of his home to get a better view of the pyrotechnic displays lighting up the night sky when he was suddenly struck. What began as a moment of childhood wonder quickly transformed into a life-threatening situation that required immediate neurosurgical intervention.

According to his parents, the boy felt a sharp and powerful blow to his head while standing on the roof. He initially made his way back down into the house, where the family noticed he was bleeding. At first, the family did not realize the severity of the injury, but their concern grew rapidly when the child began to vomit, a classic sign of serious head trauma. They rushed him to the Poriya North Medical Center, where doctors performed a series of urgent tests. The results were startling, as imaging revealed that a live bullet had penetrated the boy’s head and settled in the area behind his jaw. Medical experts believe the bullet was fired into the air by revelers elsewhere and struck the boy as it descended back to the ground.

The quick thinking of the pediatric emergency team was crucial in saving the boy's life. Dr. Barak Levitt, the director of the trauma unit at the North Medical Center, stated that the vigilance of the doctors led to the rapid identification of the ballistic wound. Once the diagnosis was confirmed, the boy was moved to the trauma room where he was sedated and placed on a ventilator to stabilize his condition. Due to the complexity of the injury, he was subsequently transferred to the pediatric neurosurgery department at Rambam Hospital in Haifa. He remains hospitalized in moderate to serious condition as specialists determine the safest way to treat the internal damage.

This tragic event has once again raised alarms about the practice of illegal celebratory shooting, which continues to pose a grave risk to innocent bystanders. While the fireworks were intended to bring joy to the New Year, the irresponsible use of firearms nearby has left a young child fighting for his recovery. Local authorities are continuing to investigate the source of the gunfire, though identifying the specific shooter in such cases remains a significant challenge. For now, the community remains in a state of distress as they wait for updates on the young boy’s health following a night that was supposed to be defined by light and hope.