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A Night of Tragedy in Kafr al-Labada
The night of Sunday, October 15, 2023, will be etched in the memories of the Shula family forever. Mohammed Shula, a 58-year-old Palestinian, recounted the harrowing events of that fateful evening. His daughter-in-law, Sondos Shalabi, who was eight months pregnant, called him in the dead of night, her voice trembling with fear. "Help, please," she whispered. "You have to save us." Minutes later, Shalabi, just 23 years old, was fatally shot by Israeli security forces. Her husband, Yazan Shula, 26, was critically injured, and their unborn child did not survive. The young couple had fled their home in Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem as Israeli forces closed in, part of a broader military crackdown in the northern West Bank.
A Worrying Escalation in Violence
The killing of Sondos Shalabi has become a symbol of a growing concern among Palestinians about the increasingly lethal tactics employed by Israeli forces in the West Bank. The Israeli military has intensified its operations in the region, particularly since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza took effect last month. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has justified the escalation as a measure to prevent Iran, an ally of Hamas, from opening a new front in the occupied territory. However, the consequences for Palestinian civilians have been devastating. On the same day as Shalabi’s death, another young Palestinian woman, just 21 years old, was killed by an explosive device planted by Israeli forces near her home.
Civilians Caught in the Crossfire
The Palestinian Health Ministry reports that at least 905 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza. While many of these deaths are attributed to militants killed in gunbattles during Israeli raids, a significant number of civilians, including protesters and bystanders, have also lost their lives. Among them are children and the elderly, such as a 2-year-old girl, a 10-year-old boy, and a 73-year-old man. The Shula family’s tragedy is a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict, where civilians, including pregnant women and young families, are paying the ultimate price.
A New Reality of Displacement and Fear
Maher Kanan, a member of the emergency response team in the nearby village of Anabta, described the Israeli military’s new approach as "what they did in Gaza." The increased use of drones, checkpoints, and raids has created a climate of fear and displacement in the West Bank. Thousands of Palestinians have been forced to flee their homes, leaving behind their belongings and livelihoods. Mohammed Shula’s own family was among those displaced. After the Israeli military invaded Nur Shams camp, they were ordered to leave their home, with soldiers banging on their door and forcing them out. The military has denied any forcible evacuations, stating that they are merely facilitating the departure of civilians who wish to leave combat zones voluntarily. However, numerous testimonies from Palestinian civilians contradict this claim, describing scenes of forced displacement and destruction.
A Family’s Loss and search for Answers
Mohammed Shula cannot help but replay the events of that tragic night. His son Yazan, a construction worker who had lost his job when Israel banned Palestinian workers from entering its territory, had been eagerly awaiting the birth of his first child. Sondos, described as quiet and kind, had been like a daughter to Mohammed. The young couple had planned to escape the escalating violence by moving to Sondos’s parents’ home outside the camp, where she could safely give birth. Instead, their attempt to flee ended in tragedy. Yazan remains on life support, and Sondos’s life was cut short. Mohammed Shula’s questions—“Why did they shoot them? They were doing nothing wrong”—echo the frustration and despair of many Palestinians.
International Response and the Road Ahead
The killing of Sondos Shalabi and other civilians has sparked outrage and calls for accountability. The Israeli army has launched an investigation into her death, but many Palestinians remain skeptical, pointing to a long history of impunity for such incidents. The Norwegian Refugee Council has warned of a growing humanitarian crisis in the West Bank, with thousands of civilians displaced and essential services disrupted. As the conflict continues to escalate, international leaders are urged to take a firmer stance in protecting civilians and addressing the root causes of the violence. Meanwhile, families like the Shulas are left to mourn their losses and rebuild their lives in the shadow of war and displacement.
