Israeli forces kill two Palestinians at point-blank range in Jenin

Two Palestinian men were killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Jenin on Thursday evening under circumstances that have drawn widespread condemnation. Video footage circulating on social media appears to show Israeli soldiers opening fire at point-blank range on the two individuals after they had raised their hands in a gesture of surrender.

The Incident and Immediate Aftermath

The shooting occurred in Jenin's Jabal Abu Dhahir neighborhood during a substantial Israeli military raid on the area. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the deceased as 26-year-old Muntasir Qassem Abdullah and 37-year-old Youssef Assa'sa. Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub reported that Israeli forces prevented ambulances from reaching the scene and blocked access to the bodies, which remain in Israeli custody.

Military Response and Broader Context

The Israeli army acknowledged the incident and stated it has initiated a field investigation into the events. This killing took place amid a large-scale Israeli military assault that began Wednesday across the northern occupied West Bank, focusing on the Jenin and Tubas provinces. The operation is part of an ongoing pattern of intensified military activity in the region.

The Wider Conflict's Toll

This incident adds to the escalating death toll in the occupied territories. According to official Palestinian figures, Israeli military and settler actions in the West Bank have killed at least 1,083 Palestinians and injured approximately 11,000 since October 2023, with over 20,500 detained. These developments occur alongside the conflict in Gaza and follow last July's International Court of Justice opinion that declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory illegal.