The uprising began in the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip after a tragic incident in which four Palestinian workers were run over and killed at the “Erez” checkpoint by an Israeli settler. The victims were Talib Abu Zaid (46), Issam Hammouda (29), Shaban Nabhan (26), and Ali Ismail (25), all residents of Gaza.
This sorrowful event ignited anger and protests across Gaza and the West Bank, leading to widespread demonstrations and clashes with Israeli forces.
Expansion of the Uprising
The Intifada quickly spread—first to the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, then across the entire West Bank and Gaza. The movement advanced rapidly, with hundreds of Palestinians losing their lives and thousands more wounded or imprisoned.
The uprising, which lasted seven years, became a defining feature of Palestinian resistance, spreading to every city, village, and refugee camp in the occupied territories. As one famous revolutionary song of the time declared: “In every village, house, and alley, our Intifada continues.”
Heavy Toll on the Palestinian People
According to the Palestinian Commission of Prisoners and Martyrs Affairs, around 1,550 Palestinians were martyred during the First Intifada. Estimates from the Palestinian Prisoners’ Association indicate that between 100,000 and 200,000 Palestinians were arrested during this period, many subjected to harsh interrogation techniques.
The uprising also left severe injuries across the population. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that more than 70,000 Palestinians were wounded, with about 40 percent suffering permanent disabilities. These included severe nerve damage, paralysis, and amputations of vital limbs.
Additionally, a report from the International Solidarity Foundation revealed that 40 Palestinians died in Israeli prisons during the Intifada, many due to torture and inhumane treatment during interrogations.
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