A disturbing video has surfaced showing Israeli security forces shooting two Palestinians who seemed to be surrendering in the occupied West Bank. The incident took place during an ongoing Israeli military operation in Jenin.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) condemned the actions as a 'war crime', labeling the killings as 'brutal' executions on the field.
Israel's military and police claimed that the deceased were affiliated with terrorism and stated that the situation is currently under review.
Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's far-right national security minister, publicly supported the officers involved, asserting that 'terrorists must die'. Witness accounts reveal that the two Palestinian men exited a building with their hands raised and knelt on the ground, attempting to demonstrate that they were unarmed. Moments later, they were fired upon, resulting in their deaths.
The military's joint statement indicated that the officers had initiated a lengthy surrender procedure to apprehend the suspects linked to various violent activities. The raid aligns with a broader Israeli campaign targeting armed groups in the northern West Bank, which Israel claims is part of its efforts to counteract ongoing threats.
The violence in the region has intensified following an escalation in hostilities after the Hamas attacks on southern Israel in October 2023, which subsequently provoked significant Israeli military responses in Gaza.
Statistics from the UN show a rising toll, with over 1,000 Palestinian deaths attributed to Israeli actions since the conflict's recent escalation, alongside casualties among Israelis during these military operations.
