UN Says Killing of Two Palestinians in West Bank Appears to Be ‘Summary Execution’

Post by : Saif Nasser

A strong wave of criticism spread across the world after the United Nations said that the killing of two Palestinian men by Israeli security forces in the occupied West Bank appeared to be a “summary execution.” The incident took place in Jenin, a city that has faced repeated military raids in recent months. Video footage captured by Palestine TV showed the two men coming out of a building, lifting their shirts, and lying on the ground in what looked like a clear act of surrender. Moments later, the forces were seen directing them back toward the building, after which the men were shot.

The U.N.’s human rights office expressed deep shock over the killing, calling it a brazen act carried out in full view of cameras. Jeremy Laurence, a spokesperson for the office, said that it was alarming to see people who posed no visible threat being shot after surrendering. His statement added to growing international concerns about rising violence in the West Bank, which has seen regular raids, arrests, and clashes throughout the year.

Israel’s military and police released a joint statement saying that they had opened an investigation. They argued that the forces had fired at suspects who had exited a building and that more information would be gathered. However, the video evidence widely circulated online prompted many human rights groups and activists to question whether the killing was justified.

The Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said that one of the men killed was a commander and the other was a fighter. For their families, the loss brought deep grief. Mahmoud Asasa, the brother of one of the victims, described the killing as cruel and unnecessary. He said that a person who surrenders can be arrested, but killing him in such a manner is unacceptable. His words reflected the pain many Palestinians feel as violence continues to rise.

Israeli human rights group B’Tselem also condemned the shooting. One of its representatives, Shai Parnes, said that everyone who watched the footage could see that the men were not a threat. He called the act an execution done openly, raising serious questions about military conduct during operations.

The shooting happened during an Israeli raid in Jenin, only one day after forces launched another operation in the nearby city of Tubas. Military raids in the northern West Bank have intensified since the beginning of the year, leaving many people dead and many others displaced. Israeli officials say these operations target militants involved in attacks, but critics argue that the raids often harm civilians and escalate tensions.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir publicly defended the forces involved. In a post on social media, he praised the actions of the soldiers and police, saying that “terrorists should die.” His comments drew sharp criticism from rights groups who say that such statements encourage the use of excessive and unlawful force.

The incident comes at a time when international pressure on Israel has increased due to the rising death toll in the West Bank. The United Nations and other global organizations have repeatedly called on Israel to respect human rights laws and ensure that security operations do not violate international standards. The latest killing adds to a long list of concerns, raising fears that unchecked violence will continue to destabilize the region.

For many people watching the situation unfold, the video of the Jenin shooting was painful and deeply troubling. It showed a moment that they believe could have ended with arrests instead of deaths. As investigations move forward, the world will be watching closely to see whether the truth is uncovered and whether accountability will follow. For now, the incident stands as a reminder of how fragile life has become in the West Bank, where even surrender does not always guarantee safety.

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