'Stop shooting! My daughter is dead': Woman killed as West Bank power struggle rages
Amid ongoing clashes in Jenin, 21-year-old journalism student Shatha al-Sabbagh was shot and killed while shopping with her family on 7 December, reports BBC.
Shatha al-Sabbagh was shopping for chocolate for her family's children at a store in Jenin, located in the occupied West Bank.
Her mother, Umm al-Motassem, recounted the harrowing moment, saying, "Shatha's eyes were wide open... I screamed, 'Stop shooting! My daughter is dead.'"
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The al-Sabbagh family blames the Palestinian Authority (PA), citing its heavy presence in the area.
The PA, however, attributes the violence to "outlaws" from armed groups like the Jenin Battalion, which denies the allegations, accusing the PA of demonizing them.
The PA's ongoing crackdown on armed groups in Jenin has left at least 14 people dead, sparking accusations of collective punishment from locals. The UN has called for investigations into human rights violations by PA forces.
Residents report severe disruptions to daily life, including power outages, food shortages, and relentless gunfire. "We're as scared of this operation as we are when Israeli soldiers raid," one resident said.
The PA insists the operation will continue to restore stability and control, but locals like Umm al-Motassem demand accountability: "Justice will be served when I know who killed my daughter."
Shatha al-Sabbagh was a "fearless" journalism student – who wanted to shed light on the suffering of the Palestinians – was with her mother, two young nephews and another relative.
