Memorial Unveiled at Golan Heights Site Where Hezbollah Rocket Killed 12 Druze Children

On July 27, 2024, a memorial was unveiled in the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, marking two years since a Hezbollah rocket struck a playground and soccer field, killing 12 children and injuring 34 others. The attack occurred during the climax of Operation "Iron Swords," as children were playing outdoors when an air raid siren sounded, followed seconds later by the rocket impact. A nearby stone wall that collapsed from the blast likely saved additional lives by shielding children hiding behind it.

The memorial park, which includes an amphitheater and a new soccer field, centers around a metal sculpture designed by architect Tzvika Pasternak. The installation features a rusted metal bowl representing the crater left by the rocket, surrounded by 12 concrete tiles engraved with the names and ages of the children in Hebrew, Arabic, and English. Pasternak, who has designed other prominent memorials in southern Israel, aimed to preserve the impact crater as a poignant symbol of the tragedy’s magnitude.

Families of the victims have expressed deep grief and ongoing pain. Ibrahim Ibharim, father of 10-year-old Jiwarah, fought to preserve the stone wall that saved lives and remains a focal point of remembrance. Mothers of the deceased children shared their personal losses and the enduring emotional toll, emphasizing that the children were innocent victims who loved life. The memorial’s design encourages visitors to gather at the crater site to reflect and honor the memory of the lost children.

Pasternak described the memorial as intentionally incomplete, inviting personal interpretation and ongoing engagement with the tragedy. He highlighted the emotional challenge and honor of working closely with the families to create a lasting tribute. The unveiling ceremony brought the community together to mourn and remember the children whose lives were cut short by the rocket attack two years ago.