Qais Emad Shojaya

Their life

Qais Emad Shojaya, 23, was a young Palestinian man from Deir Jarir, a village east of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. He was killed by Israeli forces on October 14, 2022, near Al-Jalazoun refugee camp after allegedly firing toward the Beit El settlement. Qais had previously been wounded and arrested by Israeli forces and came from a family that has experienced ongoing repression, including the imprisonment of his brother.

Qais Emad Shojaya was born and raised in the village of Deir Jarir, located east of Ramallah in the central occupied West Bank. At 23 years old, Qais was known among his community for his resilience and determination amid the harsh realities of Israeli military occupation. His life, like that of many young Palestinians, was marked by resistance and repeated confrontations with Israeli forces.

Qais had already experienced direct violence at the hands of the Israeli military before his killing. On October 18, 2015, as a teenager, he was shot during protests in the area. Despite being injured, Israeli soldiers prevented Palestinian medics from reaching him and instead arrested him while he was still wounded. This experience reflected the brutal tactics often used against young Palestinians engaged in demonstrations or resistance.

Tragically, Qais's family was also impacted by the occupation. His brother was arrested by Israeli forces on August 15, 2022, and remains imprisoned. Despite this, Qais continued to l

How they died

He was shot by the Israeli military

Qais Emad Shojaya, 23, died from gunshot wounds inflicted by Israeli soldiers near the Al-Jalazoun refugee camp on October 14, 2022. He was reportedly shot during an exchange of fire after he and another Palestinian allegedly approached the perimeter of the illegal Israeli settlement of Beit El and opened fire. In retaliation, Israeli forces responded with live ammunition, fatally shooting Qais. His body was immediately seized by the Israeli military. The exact number of bullets and the specific injuries sustained were not publicly disclosed, but eyewitness reports confirm he died on the scene from gunfire.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Qais Emad Shojaya, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources