A video from a military operation in the West Bank shows Israeli soldiers killing two Palestinians they had just detained. The shooting occurred on Thursday evening and was seen by journalists nearby. It is now being reviewed by the justice ministry, but Israel’s far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has already defended the action, stating that “terrorists must die.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that two men were shot during a joint operation with border police near Jenin. They noted that the incident is under review by field commanders and will be examined by relevant authorities.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed the two deceased were members of its armed wing, al-Quds Brigades.
The widely circulated footage shows Israeli troops surrounding what looks like a storage unit in a city. They used a digger to break through a garage door, after which two men crawled out and surrendered on their knees, lifting their shirts to show they were unarmed.
Border police officers, identifiable in Israeli media, approached them. One officer, who was bald, bearded, and not wearing a helmet, appeared to be in charge. He kicked the men while they were on the ground and ordered them back inside under the damaged door.
Seconds later, as the two men crawled away and reached the building’s entrance, five border police officers raised their rifles, and the detainees fell to the ground.
The UN human rights office expressed horror at the “brazen killing,” calling it an apparent summary execution. Yuli Novak of B’Tselem described it as a result of dehumanization and a lack of accountability in Israel for such killings.
Al-Quds Brigades identified the victims as Youssef Asasa, 37, and Mahmoud Abdallah, 26, a field commander and fighter in their Jenin unit.
Even in conflict, executing unarmed prisoners is considered a war crime.
Israeli media reported that the border police unit involved is Yamas, a special forces group known for covert operations. Israeli security forces are seldom held responsible for Palestinian deaths, with B’Tselem ceasing cooperation with military reviews in 2016, calling them a “whitewash.”
What makes this incident stand out is the clear video evidence. The IDF stated the operation aimed to arrest individuals suspected of terrorism, including attacks on security forces, and that a surrender process lasted several hours before engineering tools were used.According to the statement, the two suspects left the building and were then fired upon. The incident is being reviewed by on-site commanders and will be passed to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.
In contrast, Ben-Gvir expressed his complete support for the border police and IDF soldiers who shot at the wanted terrorists exiting a building in Jenin. The minister, who has a prior conviction for incitement to racism and backing a terrorist organization, stated that the soldiers acted as they should, asserting that terrorists deserve to die.
Quique Kierszenbaum contributed to this report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the reported incident framed in a natural tone with direct answers
Basic Understanding The Event
What is this incident people are talking about
It refers to a video that appears to show Israeli soldiers shooting at a group of Palestinians who according to reports from the scene and the video itself had surrendered and were posing no immediate threat
Where and when did this happen
The incident reportedly took place in the Gaza Strip The exact location and date are often specified in news reports but can vary depending on the source
Who released the video
The video was initially published by various news agencies and journalists operating in Gaza including Al Jazeera
Legal and Ethical Questions
Why is this video so controversial
Its controversial because international law specifically the Laws of Armed Conflict prohibits attacking combatants who have surrendered or are hors de combat The video appears to show a potential violation of this rule
What does surrendering mean in a war context
Surrendering means a combatant clearly indicates they are no longer participating in hostilities typically by laying down weapons raising their hands or displaying a white flag They are then entitled to protection and must not be attacked
What has the Israeli military said about this
The Israeli Defense Forces have stated they are reviewing the footage In similar past incidents they have often launched an investigation sometimes stating that the actions were against their rules of engagement or that the situation was more complex than it appeared in a short video clip
What could the consequences be for the soldiers if the video is verified
If an investigation finds that the soldiers violated military rules and international law they could face disciplinary action courtmartial and potentially criminal charges However such prosecutions within a countrys own military system can be complex and lengthy
Deeper Analysis Context
How can we verify if the video is authentic
Verification involves checking the videos metadata geolocating the scenery confirming the date and time and seeking corroborating evidence from other sources or eyewitness accounts Major news organizations and opensource intelligence groups often undertake this process
What is the legal framework that applies here
The main frameworks are International Humanitarian Law including the Geneva Conventions
