KAFR AL-LABAD, West Bank — In a distressing turn of events, Mohammed Shula shared how he received a late-night phone call from his daughter-in-law, Sondos Shalabi, who was eight months pregnant. Her voice was filled with fear and urgency as she pleaded for help, stating, “You have to save us.” Tragically, shortly after the call, Shalabi was shot dead.
The couple had fled their residence early Sunday morning, anticipating danger as Israeli security forces intensified their operations around the Nur Shams refugee camp, a densely populated area in Tulkarem, in northern West Bank. The military had strategically surrounded the camp days before in a rigorous effort aimed at countering Palestinian militant activities, a response that has intensified since a ceasefire took effect between Israel and Hamas in Gaza last month. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the escalation of military actions to prevent Iran, a supporter of Hamas, from extending its influence into the West Bank.
The death of Shalabi, age 23, has alarmed many Palestinians, who view it as indicative of a shift towards more aggressive Israeli military actions in the region. Following the incident, the Israeli army issued a brief statement confirming that the shooting had been referred to military police for a criminal investigation. In an alarming report, another Palestinian woman, 21 years old, was also killed by an explosive device the army had previously planted, which detonated as she approached her front door. The army justified the action by claiming a wanted militant was inside her home, asserting that the woman ignored warnings from soldiers. They stated their regret for any unintended harm to civilians.
Since the outbreak of conflict on October 7, 2023, more than 905 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives due to Israeli military actions, according to figures from the Palestinian Health Ministry. Casualties include not only militants but also innocent civilians, including a toddler, a 10-year-old, and a 73-year-old. “The fundamental rules of engagement with the Palestinians have changed,” remarked Maher Kanan, a member of a local emergency response team. He compared the current military approach to the tactics utilized during conflicts in Gaza, highlighting the increasing displacement of civilians and the rising number of fatalities.
Mohammed Shula recounted how his son and daughter-in-law began planning to escape Nur Shams a week prior, as Israel’s drone surveillance heightened. With Shalabi due to give birth soon, concerns about the possibility of a worsening siege weighed heavily on their minds. Shula described his son’s anxiety for his wife, knowing the complications she could face if they couldn’t leave safely.
Yazan Shula, a construction worker who lost his job due to restrictions affecting Palestinian laborers, was eagerly anticipating fatherhood. According to his father, Shalabi had become like a daughter to him since moving in with their family after her marriage to Yazan. “This baby is what they were living for,” he stated.
On Sunday morning, the couple made a quick decision to gather clothes and set off for Shalabi’s parents’ home, hoping to find safety a few miles away in Tulkarem. Bilal, Yazan’s 19-year-old brother, decided to accompany them. However, shortly after leaving, gunshots rang out, and Mohammed Shula received another alarming call from his daughter-in-law.
In a frantic state, she described how an Israeli sniper had shot Yazan, resulting in significant head trauma. While she remained unharmed, she found herself in a state of panic, unsure of where to turn for help. As she knocked on nearby doors, Mohammed urged her to remain composed and seek assistance, but no one answered. The dire situation escalated as she reported seeing soldiers approaching. Suddenly, the line went silent.
In the neighborhood, residents expressed their fears, preventing them from aiding in the medical rescue efforts due to the risk of gunfire. Suleiman Zuheiri, a local resident, described how attempts to assist were futile as the medics were repeatedly turned away while Shalabi continued to bleed. Although Bilal escaped physical harm, he was apprehended at the scene and held for a few hours.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that the International Committee of the Red Cross managed to negotiate access for medical teams into the area, yet they faced delays along the way as soldiers obstructed their route. When questioned about the blockade of ambulances, the Israeli military reiterated that they were investigating the circumstances surrounding Shalabi’s death. The paramedics, after significant challenges, reached the couple by 8 a.m. but were hindered a third time as they attempted to transport Yazan to a hospital.
While Yazan remained unconscious and critical, Shalabi succumbed to her wounds, and their unborn child did not survive. Mohammed Shula reflected on the anguish of knowing that Shalabi was left bleeding, and soldiers seemed indifferent to her plight as they detained his other son. He expressed disbelief, asking why they were shot when they posed no threat.
As Israeli forces moved further into the camp later that day, explosions echoed through its narrow passages, and heavy machinery caused further destruction. Amidst the chaos, Mohammed Shula and his family were forcibly told to evacuate their home by armed soldiers, although the military denied allegations of compulsory displacements, claiming that they were helping civilians who wished to leave the conflict zone.
In the aftermath, as Mohammed Shula sorted through his displaced belongings, he realized that all he could salvage during the harrowing escape was a solitary bag of baby supplies—no family photos, not even a change of clothes remained with him.
