Israeli Children Orphaned by Family Violence: 33 in 2026 Alone
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
In 2026, 33 children have been orphaned due to domestic violence in the first five weeks, with five children also becoming victims of murder or attempted murder. A report by the Michal Sela Forum details these cases, including children witnessing their mothers' killings. Since 2020, 241 children have lost mothers to domestic violence, with 2025 being a record year for orphans. The forum is dedicating November to these child victims.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- 33 children orphaned by family violence in first five weeks of 2026.
- Michal Sela Forum report highlights children witnessing maternal murders.
- Five mothers and one bride killed by partners in homes in early 2026.
- 241 children orphaned by domestic killings since tracking began in 2020.
- 2025 saw a record 51 children orphaned, a 112% increase from 2024.
- November dedicated to child victims of family murders by Michal Sela Forum.
In the first five weeks of 2026, 33 children have been orphaned due to domestic violence, with five children also becoming victims of murder or attempted murder within their families. A recent report by the Michal Sela Forum highlights the plight of children who witness their mothers' murders, become orphans, or are themselves targeted in family violence.
In one particularly grim incident, a two-month-old infant, a five-year-old boy, a six-year-old boy, and a twelve-year-old girl witnessed their father fatally stab their mother. The five-year-old and twelve-year-old children opened the door for the police. Over the same five-week period, five mothers and one bride were killed by their partners in their homes.
Since the beginning of 2026, four boys and one girl have been murdered by their fathers, and another child survived a stabbing attempt by his stepfather while trying to protect his mother, Meirav Edri, who was killed. The Michal Sela Forum has dedicated November, the month for combating violence against women, to children affected by family murders, according to Maariv.
Since tracking began in 2020, 241 children have lost their mothers to domestic killings. 2025 saw a record 51 children orphaned in these circumstances, a 112% increase from 2024 when 24 children became orphans. Between 2020 and 2026, 12 children were killed in family murders, and two survived attempted murders. Most victims were minors, with the exception of Liana Sabanok, who was 21 when killed by her father.
2026 has set a record for child victims of familial murder, with four children killed by their fathers and one surviving an attempted murder by a stepfather, double the annual average.
