Malta Mourns: Local Family’s Loss in West Bank Tragedy

Grieving in Ħal Far: A Maltese Family’s Connection to West Bank Tragedy

In the quiet streets of Ħal Far, a small town in the south of Malta, the Al-Khatib family is grappling with a grief that feels both personal and far away. Their 15-year-old cousin, Abdulrahman, was shot dead by Israeli forces in the West Bank on Tuesday, leaving behind a family scattered across continents, united only in their sorrow.

From Ħal Far to Jenin

The Al-Khatibs are a tight-knit family, their roots deeply embedded in Maltese soil. But like many Maltese families, they have branches that stretch far and wide. Abdulrahman was born and raised in Jenin, a city in the northern West Bank, but his family’s ties to Malta remain strong. His uncle, Mahmoud Al-Khatib, still lives in Ħal Far, and Abdulrahman visited Malta several times, his laughter echoing through the narrow streets of the Three Cities.

Mahmoud received the news of Abdulrahman’s death like a punch to the gut. “I was in shock,” he says, sitting in his small apartment, a framed photo of Abdulrahman smiling on the wall. “He was just a boy, full of life, full of dreams.”

Death in Silwan

Abdulrahman was shot during clashes with Israeli forces in Silwan, a Palestinian neighborhood in East Jerusalem. The Israeli military said he was throwing stones at soldiers, but his family and witnesses deny this, claiming he was unarmed. Videos circulating on social media show Abdulrahman lying on the ground, bleeding, as Israeli soldiers stand nearby.

The United Nations has condemned the killing, calling for an investigation. The European Union has also expressed concern, urging Israel to exercise restraint. But for the Al-Khatibs, these words feel hollow. “Condemnations are not enough,” says Mahmoud. “We want justice. We want the truth.”

Malta’s Response

Malta’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a statement expressing regret over Abdulrahman’s death. The Maltese government has also called for a thorough investigation. But for the Al-Khatibs, this feels like too little, too late. “Malta is our home,” says Mahmoud. “We expect more from our government.”

Local politicians have been visiting the Al-Khatib family, offering condolences and support. Opposition leader Bernard Grech has called for a stronger response from the government, saying, “We must stand with the Palestinian people in their quest for justice and peace.”

The Al-Khatib family is planning to bury Abdulrahman in Jenin, but they are also considering bringing his body to Malta. “We want him to rest in peace, surrounded by his family,” says Mahmoud. “Wherever that may be.”

As the family plans for the future, they are also thinking about Abdulrahman’s legacy. “He was a symbol of resistance,” says Mahmoud. “He fought for his rights, for his homeland. We will continue his fight, in his name.”