Jenin, West Bank – Video footage has emerged appearing to show Israeli soldiers fatally shooting two Palestinian men in the Jabal Abu Dheir neighborhood of Jenin in the northern West Bank. The incident has sparked outrage and condemnation, further escalating tensions in the already volatile region.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the deceased have been identified as Muntaser Billah Abdullah, 26, and Youssef Asa’sa, 37. Both men died from gunshot wounds inflicted by Israeli forces.
The video, widely circulated online, allegedly depicts the two men with their hands raised in apparent surrender before being shot. The authenticity of the video is being independently verified.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has publicly expressed his full support for the soldiers involved. He stated that they acted as expected against what he described as “wanted terrorists” who emerged from a building in Jenin.
The Israeli military released a statement indicating that its forces had surrounded a building in Jenin during an operation, believing it housed two “wanted individuals.” The statement further claimed that measures were taken to encourage their surrender, but that they were fired upon after exiting the building. The military has announced that it is conducting a “field investigation” into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Israeli television channels have aired footage purportedly showing the men being shot after raising their hands. Agence France-Presse also captured portions of the incident.
This event occurs amidst a significant escalation in the West Bank, marked by ongoing Israeli military operations. Reports indicate that Israeli forces have raided hundreds of Palestinian homes in the Tubas governorate, restricting the movement of approximately 70,000 Palestinians.
