Israeli Minister Backs Soldiers After Fatal Shooting of Two Palestinians

The Israeli government faces intense scrutiny following the fatal shooting of two unarmed Palestinians in Jenin, West Bank. The incident, which has been condemned by the Palestinian Authority as a “war crime,” involved the deaths of 37-year-old Yussef Ali Asa’sa and 26-year-old Al-Muntasir Billah Mahmud Abdullah at the hands of Israeli troops. According to reports, the men approached Israeli forces with their hands raised before they were shot.

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, expressed his unwavering support for the soldiers involved, writing on social media platform X, “I fully support the border guard members and Israeli army soldiers who shot at wanted terrorists who emerged from a building in Jenin. The forces acted exactly as expected of them — terrorists must die!” His comments came amid a backdrop of escalating violence in the region, particularly since the beginning of hostilities in Gaza in October 2023.

The Israeli army and police stated they are reviewing the incident, which has been captured on video and shared widely across social media and news outlets. In a joint statement, they clarified that the operation aimed to apprehend individuals accused of terror-related activities, including the use of explosives against security forces. They mentioned that the forces enclosed the area where the suspects were located and initiated a surrender procedure that lasted several hours. After the suspects exited the building, fire was directed toward them.

The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the identities of the deceased and reported that their bodies are currently held by Israeli authorities. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the shootings as a “brutal field execution” and called for immediate international intervention to stop the perceived ongoing violence against Palestinians.

Hamas, the militant group governing Gaza, described the incident as a “cold-blooded execution of two unarmed Palestinian youths,” further inflaming tensions in an already volatile situation. The organization has highlighted the surge in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, particularly since the escalation of conflict in Gaza.

International responses have varied. The E4 group, comprising France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, recently urged Israel to adhere to international law and protect Palestinians in the occupied territories. They expressed serious concerns about the “massive increase in settler violence against Palestinian civilians.”

As investigations continue, the situation remains tense with the potential for further clashes. Humanitarian organizations have called for accountability and transparency regarding the actions of Israeli forces in the West Bank, emphasizing the need for protection of civilians amid ongoing conflict. The fallout from this incident may have broader implications for Israeli-Palestinian relations and the region’s stability as the international community watches closely.