According to reports, while Muhammad al-Durrah and his father Jamal crossed a main street in the Bureij refugee camp when heavy shooting broke out between Palestinian militiamen and an Israel Defense Force (IDF) outpost near Netzarim junction. Muhammad and Jamal al-Durrah sought sanctuary in vain between a concrete cylinder and a low cinderblock wall as bullets rained down around them for about 45 minutes, of which 27 minutes were filmed.

“He stayed close to me, clutching me from my back while I was trying to keep him away from the bullets,” said his father, Jamal. “But one bullet hit him in the leg. I started screaming and crying, hoping that the bullets would stop, but to no avail.”

Edited television footage showed Jamal al-Durrah waving desperately, shouting, “Don’t shoot!” but Muhammad was eventually hit by four bullets and collapsed in his father’s arms. Jamal al-Durrah was also shot and suffered critical injuries but survived after receiving emergency surgery in Jordan. He suffered a permanently paralyzed right arm.

“It is the worst nightmare of my life… My son was terrified, he pleaded with me: ‘For the love of God protect me, Baba (Dad).’ “I will never forget these words.”

An ambulance driver who tried to reach the trapped pair was reported shot and killed. A second ambulance driver was reported wounded.