Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Muhammad al-Durrah Image Became Symbol of Second Intifada
Muhammad al-Durrah was a 12-year-old boy whose frightened image came to represent a major Palestinian uprising.
The uprising was called the Second Palestinian Intifada, or the Al-Aqsa Intifada.
It began in 2000.
On September 28, Ariel Sharon entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem.
More than 1,000 heavily armed police officers and soldiers accompanied him.
Many Palestinians became angry about the visit.
They had recently marked the anniversary of the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre.
The image of Muhammad crying in fear remained closely connected with the uprising.
Muhammad al-Durrah’s fearful image became one of the Second Palestinian Intifada’s most haunting symbols.
The Second Palestinian Intifada, also called the Al-Aqsa Intifada, began in 2000.
The uprising followed Ariel Sharon’s entry into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on September 28, 2000.
Sharon was accompanied by more than 1,000 heavily armed police officers and soldiers.
The visit caused Palestinian outrage amid commemorations of the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre.
- Who
- Muhammad al-Durrah, Ariel Sharon, Palestinians, and the forces accompanying Sharon are identified in the account.
- What
- A frightening image of Muhammad al-Durrah became associated with the beginning of the Second Palestinian Intifada.
- When
- The uprising began after September 28, 2000, when Ariel Sharon entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
- Where
- The image is identified with Gaza, while the triggering visit took place at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem.
- Why
- Sharon’s visit caused Palestinian outrage, particularly amid commemorations of the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre.
- Boy
- Muhammad al-Durrah, identified in the title as 12 years old
- Uprising
- Second Palestinian Intifada, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada
- Date of Sharon’s visit
- September 28, 2000
- Location of visit
- Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem
- Security presence
- More than 1,000 heavily armed police officers and soldiers
- Related anniversary
- The 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre