Nizar Nidal Ma’rouf Abu Zeina
Nizar was killed by a live bullet fired by Israeli soldiers, which struck him in the chest.
On May 14, 2021, protests spread across Tulkarem and other parts of the West Bank in response to Israeli attacks on Gaza and ongoing violations in Jerusalem. Israeli soldiers opened live fire on demonstrators, using excessive and lethal force. Nizar was hit by a live round directly in the chest, causing severe internal injuries and bleeding. Emergency responders transported him to Thabet Thabet Hospital in Tulkarem, where doctors tried to save his life. Despite their efforts, his wound proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead. His killing was part of a broader pattern of live ammunition being used against Palestinian civilians during demonstrations.
Biography
Nizar Nidal Ma’rouf Abu Zeina, 22, was a young construction worker from the Shweika neighborhood of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank. On May 14, 2021, while taking part in protests against Israeli military actions in Gaza and ongoing violations in Jerusalem, he was shot in the chest by Israeli soldiers. Despite being rushed to Thabet Thabet Hospital in Tulkarem, he succumbed to his wounds shortly after. His killing came amid a wave of violence across the West Bank, where nine Palestinians were killed that day and hundreds injured.
Born and raised in the Shweika area of Tulkarem, Nizar Nidal Ma’rouf Abu Zeina worked as a construction laborer, helping support his family through difficult economic and social conditions under occupation. Like many young Palestinians, he joined others in Tulkarem on May 14, 2021, to protest against the ongoing Israeli bombardment of Gaza, which killed dozens of civilians, including women and children, as well as the constant violations against Palestinians in Jerusalem. During the protests, Israeli forces positioned sharpshooters between trees and buildings before opening fire on demonstrators. Nizar was struck by a live round in the chest, suffering catastrophic injuries. Despite being rushed to Thabet Thabet Hospital, doctors were unable to save him. His death came on a day marked by widespread bloodshed across the West Bank, where at least nine Palestinians were killed and more than 500 injured, reflecting the brutal suppression of Palestinian voices during that period of escalation.
Additional Information
Sources & References
Nizar Nidal Ma’rouf Abu Zeina, 22, was shot by Israeli soldiers with a live round in the chest, causing a very serious injury, before he was rushed to Thabet Thabet hospital, in Tulkarem, where he died of his wounds despite efforts to save his life. The slain Palestinian was a construction worker from the Shweika area, in Tulkarem city. The soldiers added that the soldiers also shot 33 Palestinians with live fire, in addition to injuring dozens with rubber-coated steel bullets, gas bombs, and concussion grenades. Eyewitnesses said the soldiers attacked Palestinian protesters in Tulkarem, after the army invaded the town, and added that Israeli sharpshooters were positioned between trees and behind structures, before opening fire at the Palestinians. Protests also took place near the Ennab military roadblock, Bazaria junction, Ramin junction, in addition to the main entrance of Beit Lid, east of Tulkarem, and near the illegal Annexation Wall in Far’un town, south of Tulkarem.1 israelpalestinetimeline.org Open source