Palestinian Artist Rehab Nazzal Shot by Sniper While Documenting Israeli Military Equipment in Bethlehem

On Friday afternoon in Bethlehem, Palestinian artist Rehab Nazzal was intentionally shot in the leg by a sniper while photographing an Israeli military vehicle. The Toronto-based artist had been in the West Bank city since July conducting research for her PhD studies at Western University's visual arts department, examining how weaponry affects human senses. Nazzal was documenting a 'skunk' truck—a military tank used by the Israeli Defence Forces to spray foul-smelling chemicals for crowd control—when she was targeted. According to her statement, she was completely alone with no clashes or stone throwers present, confirming the shooting was deliberate rather than accidental. Her final photographs before being wounded captured a sniper concealed near a hotel entrance. Nazzal is now reported to be in stable condition following the incident. The artist's research focuses specifically on the sensory impact of military equipment in conflict zones. Canadian Art first reported the shooting, which occurred as Nazzal walked through Bethlehem streets observing people fleeing from the military vehicle. Her photographic documentation forms part of her academic investigation into weaponry's effects on perception and experience in occupied territories.