Israeli troops killed a seven-month-old Palestinian baby in the occupied West Bank and wounded one of the child’s parents after opening fire on the family’s car, even though it had stopped as ordered.
The shooting happened on Friday in the Tel Rumeida area of Hebron. The baby, Sam Fahd Abu Haikal, was critically injured and taken to a hospital, where he later died. His parents were also hurt.
The Israeli military said soldiers fired at a vehicle they believed was moving toward them, but an initial review found that those injured were civilians not involved in any threat.
In an interview with the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the father, Fahd Abu Haikal, a lecturer at Bethlehem University, said “a bullet went through his hand and hit his son, Sam, who was being held by his mother in the back seat.” Abu Haikal said the family—which also included their 11-year-old son and his mother—was driving through Hebron on Friday evening when soldiers signaled for them to stop.
He said it was still daylight and the soldier who fired could clearly see they were a family. “The soldier signaled me to stop. I stopped the car completely and raised my hands on the steering wheel. Right after that, they opened fire on the vehicle,” he told Haaretz.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its troops “saw a vehicle accelerating toward them” and one soldier “fired single shots at the vehicle.” “As a result, three Palestinians were injured and taken for medical treatment,” the IDF said, adding that “the incident is under review” and expressing “deep regret for any harm caused to uninvolved people.”
Abu Haikal rejected the military’s version of events. “The soldier was about 10 meters away from me. He saw me, he saw my wife and the children,” he told Haaretz. “The windows weren’t tinted, it was broad daylight, and everything was clear. You can’t say he didn’t see it was a family.”
“I stopped as I was told, and then they just shot at the car,” he added. “There was no clear checkpoint, just soldiers standing in the street. I stopped when they asked, and then the shooting started.”
Abu Haikal called for an investigation and said the soldier responsible should be held accountable. “I demand and expect—if there is any conscience, any law, any morality—that the soldier who fired the shots will be held accountable for his actions. This case must not be closed without an investigation and without accountability. At the very least, I do not intend to give up.”
In a similar incident on March 15, Israeli troops operating in Tamoun, in the northern Jordan Valley, opened fire on a vehicle driving through the village, killing a Palestinian couple and two of their children. The victims were identified as Ali Bani Odeh, 38, his wife Waad Bani Odeh, 36, and their sons Othman, six, and Mohammad, five.
According to the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, soldiers removed two other children from the vehicle—Khaled, 11, and Mustafa, eight—both of whom had minor shrapnel injuries. The group said the troops then violently interrogated Khaled at the scene.
B’Tselem said the military initially prevented ambulances from reaching the area and only allowed medical teams access after a delay. The group added that soldiers later confiscated the family’s car, which was full of bullet holes.
The UN said last month that more than 1,000 Palestinians had been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since the war began, at least 240 of them children, and 49 peoplePeople have been killed this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of frequently asked questions based on the reported incident structured with clear questions and direct answers
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What exactly happened
An Israeli soldier reportedly shot and killed a Palestinian baby in the occupied West Bank The incident occurred during a military operation or raid
2 Where did this happen
It happened in the occupied West Bank which is territory controlled by Israel since 1967
3 Why would a soldier shoot a baby
According to initial reports the soldier may have mistaken the baby for a threat or the shooting occurred during a chaotic situation Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances
4 Has anyone been punished for this
As of now the Israeli military has announced an investigation Punishments if any will depend on the findings of that investigation
5 Is this a common event
No the killing of a baby is extremely rare and considered a very serious incident However clashes and violence in the West Bank occur frequently
IntermediateLevel Questions
6 What is the official Israeli response
The Israeli military has expressed regret and opened a criminal investigation Some officials have called it a tragic mistake while others have called for a full account
7 What is the official Palestinian response
Palestinian authorities condemn the killing as a war crime and a deliberate act They have called for international intervention and accountability
8 How do international organizations view this
The United Nations the European Union and human rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned the killing and called for an independent investigation
9 Does the Israeli military have rules of engagement
Yes the Israeli military has strict rules of engagement However critics argue these rules are not always enforced especially in the occupied territories
10 What is the legal status of the West Bank
The West Bank is considered occupied territory under international law This means the Fourth Geneva Convention applies which protects civiliansincluding childrenduring conflict
Advanced Contextual Questions
11 Could this be considered a war crime
International law prohibits the intentional killing of civilians especially children If the shooting was intentional or reckless it could be classified as a war crime A full investigation is needed to determine intent
