Israeli Military Shoots Two Men in Jenin During Surrender Attempt

Israeli military forces shot and killed two men in Jenin, located in the occupied West Bank, during what has been described as a “surrender procedure.” This incident has prompted a review by Israeli authorities, following a joint statement issued by a military spokesperson and the Israel Police. The Palestinian Authority has confirmed the identities of the deceased as 26-year-old Al-Muntasir Mahmoud Qassem Abdullah and 37-year-old Youssef Ali Youssef Asasa.

The West Bank’s General Authority for Civil Affairs condemned the incident, labeling it “a fully-fledged war crime and a flagrant violation of all international laws, conventions, norms, and humanitarian values.” According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the two men were wanted for alleged terrorist activities. The military stated that they were conducting operations alongside border police to apprehend individuals connected to a “terrorist organization operating in Jenin.” The IDF accused the men of launching explosive devices and firing at security forces.

Details of the Incident

According to the IDF, the “surrender procedure” extended over several hours. The men exited a building after an engineering vehicle was utilized to facilitate their exit. The IDF reported, “After they exited the building, gunfire was carried out at the wanted individuals.”

Video footage circulating on social media shows the two men emerging from the structure with their hands raised in apparent surrender, surrounded by Israeli soldiers. The video captures them later lying on the ground at the entrance of the building, followed by multiple rounds of gunfire. The bodies of at least one of the men can be seen lying on the ground in the footage.

The IDF stated that the incident is under investigation by field commanders and will be reviewed by the relevant authorities.

Wider Military Operations

On the same day as the shooting, the Israeli military initiated a broad-scale operation across the West Bank, reportedly searching over 220 sites, questioning dozens of individuals, and arresting several wanted suspects.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir publicly praised the actions of the military and police following the incident. He expressed his support on social media, stating, “I fully back the Border Police fighters and IDF soldiers who fired at wanted terrorists who came out of a building in Jenin. The fighters acted exactly as expected of them—terrorists must die!”

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions and violence in the region, highlighting the complexities surrounding security operations and the impact on civilian lives.