Islam Ghayyad Mohammad Zahda

Their life

Islam Ghayyad Mohammad Zahda, 32, was a Palestinian from Hebron in the southern West Bank. A former political prisoner, Zahda lived in the Old City of Hebron, an area long subjected to heavy Israeli military presence and settler activity. On May 18, 2021, he was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers near the Ibrahimi Mosque and the old vegetable market. His death occurred during a period of heightened violence in Hebron, making him the fifth Palestinian killed there in five days.

Islam Ghayyad Mohammad Zahda, born and raised in Hebron, was a 32-year-old Palestinian who had previously been imprisoned by Israeli authorities for political reasons. Known in his community as a resident of the Old City, he lived in an area under constant tension due to Israeli military checkpoints and nearby settler enclaves. On May 18, 2021, Zahda approached a military checkpoint near the old vegetable market close to the Ibrahimi Mosque. The Israeli army claimed he was carrying a Carlo submachine gun, a knife, and explosives, alleging that an explosive detonated in his hand and that he attempted to advance toward soldiers before being shot. Local Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses reported hearing an explosion followed by gunfire and seeing Zahda lying on the ground, but medics were prevented from reaching him. Video footage later surfaced showing an Israeli settler making derogatory remarks about Zahda as soldiers took his body away. His killing was part of a violent escalation in Hebron, where four ot

How they died

Gunshot wounds inflicted by Israeli soldiers.

Islam Ghayyad Mohammad Zahda was killed by live gunfire from Israeli soldiers stationed at a military checkpoint near the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. The soldiers opened fire after alleging he was armed and had attempted to attack them. Eyewitness accounts and local media indicated that after an explosion—possibly from what the army claimed was an explosive device—soldiers shot Zahda multiple times, preventing medics and journalists from approaching.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Islam Ghayyad Mohammad Zahda, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources