Naji al-Baba, a 14-year-old boy from the occupied West Bank, had dreams of becoming an international football player, but those dreams were cut short when he was tragically killed by Israeli soldiers while playing football with his friends. Naji was described by his family as kind, helpful, and passionate about football, always practicing at the sports club in Halhul. His mother, Samahar al-Zamara, recalled the moment she realized Naji had grown taller than her and how he never refused a request from a loved one. On the day of his death, Naji asked his father to let him go play with his friends near their home, but was shot by Israeli soldiers while in a wooded area. His father, Nidal, desperately tried to see his son before he was taken away by the soldiers. Naji’s body was found with four bullets wounds, left for 30 minutes without medical attention. His funeral was attended by hundreds in Halhul, where he was remembered as a loving, supportive, and talented young man. Naji had dreams of becoming an international footballer like Ronaldo, but those dreams were shattered by his untimely death. Despite the heartache, his family remembers him fondly for his love and care towards them, and his talent on the football field.
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