Shocking CCTV Footage Shows 80-Year-Old Palestinian Woman Shot in IDF Raid

PS
Published:

On December 19, an 80-year-old Palestinian grandmother, Halima Abu Leil, was shot multiple times during an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) raid in the Balata refugee camp of Nablus, West Bank. Newly released CCTV footage analyzed by Sky News shows the moments leading up to her shooting, during which she was reportedly on her way to purchase groceries.

According to her children, Halima was shot six times by Israeli special forces, with injuries to her legs and chest. Despite showing clear signs of being an elderly and unarmed woman, eyewitness reports suggest that the IDF acted ruthlessly.

The footage reveals that a van marked as an ambulance was used during the IDF operation, raising concerns about a potential violation of international law. Francesca Albanese, a UN Special Rapporteur, noted the shocking lack of precautions taken to protect civilian life in the footage, describing the incident as a possible war crime.

The IDF has stated that it conducts operations in line with international law and confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway. However, the shooting of civilians not posing an imminent threat has been condemned by the United Nations Office of Human Rights as unlawful.

Since October 7, 2023, Israeli security forces and settlers have reportedly killed over 800 mostly unarmed Palestinians, prompting calls for an independent investigation into these incidents.

Weekly Newsletter

News summary by melangenews

Loading...

More from Palestinia

Hamas Confirms Death of Military Chief Mohammed Deif

Hamas has officially confirmed the death of its military chief, Mohammed Deif, after Israel had earlier reported his demise following an airstrike in the Gaza Strip. According to Hamas, Deif’s death was declared alongside several other prominent fighters, marking a significant loss for the group. Israel initially accused Deif of orchestrating the large-scale attack on the country on October 7, 2023, which marked a pivotal escalation in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. In August 2024, Israel claimed to have killed Deif during a targeted operation in a humanitarian zone located between Khan Younis and Mawasi, which resulted in approximately 90 fatalities according to the health authority under Hamas's control, with around 300 others injured. Deif had been one of Israel's most wanted fugitives for nearly three decades and was previously placed on a U.S. list of "international terrorists" in 2015. He was known for his crucial role in developing the extensive tunnel network beneath Gaza. The recent announcement also indicated the death of Marwan Issa, the third-highest Hamas official in the region, according to a Hamas spokesperson.
PS

Private US Contractors to Manage Checkpoint in Gaza Amid Truce

A US security firm, UG Solutions, is reportedly recruiting nearly 100 US special forces veterans to manage a checkpoint in Gaza, a move that marks the unprecedented introduction of armed private contractors into a conflict zone. According to a recruitment email obtained by Reuters, the company, based in Davidson, North Carolina, is offering daily rates starting at $1,100, plus a $10,000 advance, to veterans with special operations backgrounds. The checkpoint is situated along the key Netzarim Corridor, which separates northern and southern Gaza. A UG Solutions spokesperson confirmed that some contractors are already on-site. This initiative follows discussions involving Emirati officials about the potential role of private contractors in any post-war peacekeeping efforts. Israeli officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, indicated that the arrangement is intended to bolster security and facilitate humanitarian aid in Gaza. Concerns have been raised, however, regarding the potential risks to American personnel amid ongoing tensions with local resistance groups. The US State Department and other involved parties have yet to comment on the arrangement.
PS

Hostage Exchange in Gaza as Ceasefire Holds

Three Israeli and five Thai hostages were released in Gaza as part of a fragile ceasefire deal, which has paused fighting in the region. According to reports from Sky News, the release took place on January 30, 2025, with the first freed hostage being Israeli soldier Agam Berger, followed by civilian Arbel Yehoud, who was at the center of a dispute involving Hamas and Islamic Jihad. An 80-year-old Israeli civilian, Gadi Mozes, was also among those released. In exchange for these eight hostages, Israel is expected to release 110 Palestinians from detention, as stated by the Palestinian Prisoners Society. However, the handover was momentarily delayed due to Israel's condemnation of the scenes surrounding the release, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as "shocking." This exchange is part of an ongoing truce mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, which began on January 19 and aims to de-escalate the ongoing conflict triggered by the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Both sides continue to face significant humanitarian challenges as the conflict persists.
PS
All Palestinia News ->