Raeda Mohammed Saeed Al-Aklouk “Shabaik”

Their life

Raeda Mohammed Saeed Al-Aklouk, also known as “Shabaik,” was a 47-year-old Palestinian woman from Gaza City. A devoted wife and mother, she was known for her strong sense of family, resilience, and compassion within her community. Her life was tragically cut short on December 17, 2023, when Israeli aircraft targeted her family’s home in the Al-Jalaa area of Gaza without warning.

Raeda Mohammed Saeed Al-Aklouk, affectionately known by many as “Shabaik,” was a 47-year-old Palestinian woman who lived in the Al-Jalaa area of Gaza City. A wife and mother, Raeda devoted her life to her family and community. She was a woman of quiet strength, deeply rooted in her values, and admired for her unwavering commitment to her loved ones.

Raeda came from a family that understood the trials of life under occupation. Yet, despite the uncertainty and danger that shaped daily existence in Gaza, she built a life filled with care and hope. She was known to neighbors as a kind and generous woman—always offering help when needed and making her home a place of warmth and welcome for relatives and friends.

Her days were filled with caring for her household, supporting her children, and remaining a pillar of emotional stability in a city under siege. Even amid repeated bombings and restrictions, Raeda found strength in her faith and her family, always putting others first.

On December 17, 2023, Raeda was killed alongside other family members when Israeli warplanes bombed the Al-Aklouk family home in Al-Jalaa without prior notice or warning. The airstrike obliterated the house, burying the memories and laughter once held within its walls. She died a civilian, a mother, and a woman who posed no threat—one of the many innocent lives lost in a war that continues to claim families in their entirety.

Raeda’s death, like so many in Gaza, is not only a personal loss t

How they died

Killed by Israeli airstrike

Raeda Mohammed Saeed Al-Aklouk, also known as “Shabaik,” was tragically killed on December 17, 2023, when an Israeli airstrike targeted her family home in the Al-Jalaa area of Gaza City. The attack occurred without prior warning, leaving no opportunity for evacuation. The airstrike resulted in the complete destruction of the residential building, leading to the deaths of Raeda and several other family members.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of aerial bombardments in Gaza, where densely populated civilian areas have been subjected to intense military actions. Such attacks have raised significant concerns among international human rights organizations regarding the protection of civilians during armed conflicts.

A plea from the family

“We want the world to see us—as human beings. Our loved ones were not fighters, they were mothers, fathers, children. They wanted to live, just like anyone else. What crime did Raeda commit? She was in her home, surrounded by family, when the bombs came. We ask: why are our lives treated as disposable? Where is the justice? Where is the humanity?” Surviving family members, neighbors, and local witnesses often speak of the devastation—not only from the physical destruction, but from the psychological pain of losing entire generations in an instant. Raeda was remembered as a source of love and stability, and her loss has left a deep emotional scar on those who knew her. In broader statements, survivors across Gaza repeatedly call on the international community to: End the indiscriminate bombing of residential areas. Hold those responsible for civilian deaths accountable. Ensure protection for families seeking refuge and safety. Recognize the dignity and humanity of every Palestinian life.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Raeda Mohammed Saeed Al-Aklouk “Shabaik”, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources