Israeli minister promotes officer from unit that killed unarmed Palestinians

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has authorized the promotion of a Border Police commander whose undercover unit was involved in the fatal shooting of two unarmed Palestinians in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin. The far-right minister personally visited the unit's base to inform the commander, identified only as "K," of his advancement to deputy commissioner rank, a decision described as unusual since unit commanders typically hold lower positions within the police hierarchy.

The Jenin Incident and Investigation

The promotion follows the emergence of video footage showing Israeli forces shooting two Palestinians on Thursday after the individuals had exited a building with their hands raised in surrender. According to investigative reports, the officers subdued the Palestinians and ordered them to lie on the ground before one officer shot them at close range. Three officers from the unit currently remain under criminal investigation for their roles in the incident, with investigators having presented them with video evidence contradicting their claims that they felt threatened by "suspicious movements."

Political Support and Broader Context

Minister Ben-Gvir publicly expressed support for the unit through social media posts showing him embracing the commander while the criminal investigation remains ongoing. The incident occurs against the backdrop of intensified Israeli military operations throughout the West Bank since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October 2023. According to Palestinian documentation, more than 1,085 Palestinians have been killed and 10,700 injured by Israeli military and settler actions in the occupied territory during this period, with over 20,500 arrests.

International Legal Framework

These developments unfold following the International Court of Justice's landmark opinion last July that declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The court's ruling has increased international scrutiny of Israeli actions in the occupied territories, though implementation of the decision remains pending amid ongoing hostilities and political disagreements.