Translated from the word “shahid” in Arabic, which literally means “witness.” In Islam, the term is used in many different instances, from witnessing a crime to being killed prematurely and from unnatural causes, such as a car accident. In the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the word “shahid” or “martyr” is used to refer to Palestinians or supporters of the Palestinian cause who have been killed, died, or killed themselves in the conflict. It may thus refer to such individuals as: a suicide bomber, a Palestinian fighter or a Palestinian civilian killed by an Israeli in the context of the conflict. Many Palestinians also use “martyr” in reference to a Palestinian who dies outside of historic Palestine. See also Martyrdom Operation and Suicide Attack/Bombing. See Khalil, Laleh. Heroes and Martyrs of Palestine: The Politics of National Commemoration. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007. http://www.justvision.org/glossary/martyr