Dana Maarouf
Age 9
Dana Maarouf was 9 years old. She was a student at Ghaith School, a small elementary school—shy, well-mannered, with excellent grades according to her classmates and teachers. After she was killed, all of her school friends held up signs in her memory.
She had been forced out of her home by Israeli airstrikes that flattened entire streets. Her family fled from one tent camp to the next, each move ordered by the Israeli military under threat of death. By early 2026, they were living in a tent in Al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis. The Israeli military called it a "humanitarian safe zone" and ordered civilians to go there. Dana's family went.
On January 5, 2026, Dana was playing outside the tent. Her uncle Ahmed was with her. Two other children from the camp were playing nearby. A man remote-controlling a drone saw the tent. He saw the children. He saw Dana. He aimed the camera and launched a missile directly at them.
No warning. No military target anywhere near them. The missile struck the tent and the children. Dana was killed instantly. Her uncle Ahmed was killed alongside her. Two other younger girls playing nearby were badly hurt by flying metal. Her relatives carried her to Nasser Hospital. She was wrapped in a bloody, white burial shroud, her face visible. Her eyes were still open.
The votes that paid for the weapons
Joint Resolution, S.J.Res. 34: Block arms sale to Israel—1000-lb bombs
Joint Resolution, S.J.Res. 33: Block arms sale to Israel—2000-lb bombs (reattempt)
House Bill, H.R. 8034: Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024