Obaida Akram Jawabra

Their life

Obaida Akram Jawabra was a Palestinian teenager from al-Arroub Refugee Camp, located just north of Hebron in the occupied West Bank. At only 17 or 18 years old, Obaida lived the life of a typical youth under occupation — marked by restrictions, fear, and repeated exposure to military presence. On 17 May 2021, he was fatally shot with live ammunition by Israeli forces during a crackdown on Palestinian protests. Witnesses stated the area had been quiet when the gunfire erupted, and Obaida collapsed immediately. Distressingly, Israeli soldiers reportedly blocked ambulances from reaching him, forcing his evacuation in a private car to a nearby clinic, where he was declared dead. Obaida’s killing came during a surge in Israeli violence across the West Bank amid wider protests over Gaza airstrikes and expulsions in East Jerusalem. His death became another tragic symbol of the relentless threat facing Palestinian children and teenagers in occupied territories, where even moments of relative calm can turn deadly.

Obaida Akram Jawabra was a Palestinian teenager living in the al-Arroub Refugee Camp, located north of Hebron in the occupied West Bank. He was around 17 or 18 years old at the time of his killing on 17 May 2021. Obaida was a student and part of a community that has long experienced the harsh conditions of life under occupation — including military raids, lack of mobility, economic hardship, and frequent confrontations with Israeli forces.

On the day of his death, Israeli forces were reportedly cracking down on protests and unrest that had spread throughout the occupied territories. This came in response to escalating violence in Gaza, the storming of al-Aqsa Mosque, and attempts to forcibly evict Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem. Obaida was shot with live ammunition at the entrance of the refugee camp under unclear circumstances.

Eyewitnesses said there were no major confrontations at the time he was shot, and the situation had been relatively calm. Despite being critically injured, Israeli soldiers reportedly prevented ambulances from reaching him. He was eventually taken to a medical facility in Beit Fajjar in a private vehicle, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Obaida’s killing sparked outrage and grief in his community and beyond. His story, like many others, has come to represent the daily dangers faced by Palestinian youth living under occupation — where even ordinary movement or presence in one's own neighborhood can end in death.

How they died

He was shot and killed by Israeli forces

Obaida Akram Jawabra was killed by live ammunition fired by Israeli forces during a military crackdown in al-Arroub Refugee Camp, north of Hebron. According to eyewitnesses, the camp was relatively quiet when soldiers suddenly opened fire, hitting Obaida and causing him to collapse on the spot. Despite his injuries, Israeli forces reportedly prevented ambulances from reaching him, forcing bystanders to transport him in a private vehicle to a clinic in Beit Fajjar, where he was pronounced dead. His killing occurred amid widespread unrest and increased use of lethal force by Israeli forces across the West Bank.

A plea from the family

Obaida Akram Jawabra's family, still in shock over his sudden and violent death, has pleaded for justice and accountability. His uncle, Bilal Jawabra, expressed anguish over the lack of information provided by Israeli authorities and condemned the military’s decision to deny medical aid to the wounded teenager. The family is demanding an independent investigation into Obaida’s killing and calling on the international community to protect Palestinian children from what they describe as routine and unlawful use of lethal force by Israeli soldiers.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Obaida Akram Jawabra, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources