On June 24, 2025, Israeli Border Police conducted a raid in the Shuafat refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, in the late evening. During the operation, 66-year-old Zahia Joudeh al‑Obeidi went to her rooftop around 11:30 p.m. to get some fresh air and was fatally struck in the head by a stray bullet, reportedly fired from about 25 meters away. The shell casing was later found in the street below.

Zahia was pronounced dead shortly after midnight, which is why some reports list her death as occurring on June 25. Her husband, Kaid Joudeh, was reportedly taken in for questioning by Israeli intelligence services.

Israeli authorities stated that officers opened fire after coming under a barrage of stones during the raid. A Border Police officer from the Yamas unit was detained for questioning but later released pending further investigation. The Jerusalem Governorate confirmed Zahia’s death and noted her husband’s temporary interrogation.

Aftermath and alleged investigation:

On January 12, 2026 Jerusalem Post published that Border operations in Shuafat was investigated by the Israel Police's Jerusalem District and the Justice Ministry’s Police Investigation Department (PID) since, in June 2025, the death of a Palestinian woman from East Jerusalem killed near the city's checkpoint in the northern Shuafat neighborhood.

"She arrived at the checkpoint in serious condition with deep wounds, and her death was later pronounced by emergency medical personnel. An investigation was then opened. East Jerusalem residents said that she was shot by Border Police officers who were operating in the area, while she was in her home. Border Police said it was looking into whether its operations and her death were connected."

Name of the martyr:

Zahia Joudeh al‑Obeidi, 66 y/o | Arabic: زاهية جوده العبيدي