Israeli forces kill two Palestinians who appeared to be surrendering in the West Bank

The Israeli military and police announced on Thursday that they are investigating an incident in which two Palestinians were fatally shot in the occupied West Bank while apparently attempting to surrender to Israeli forces. The event occurred in Jenin, a northern West Bank city known as a hub for Palestinian armed factions, and was captured from multiple angles, including footage by AFP.

The Palestinian Authority identified the deceased as 37-year-old Yussef Ali Asa'sa and 26-year-old Al-Muntasir Billah Mahmud Abdullah, describing their deaths as a "brutal" summary execution and labeling the incident a "war crime." Israels far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir expressed support for the soldiers involved, stating that "terrorists must die."

Video shared on social media and broadcasted on television showed two men leaving a building with raised hands while surrounded by Israeli forces. They were later seen lying on the ground and then moving back inside the structure before gunfire erupted. AFP footage confirmed that the men exited and re-entered the building prior to shots being fired, with a partially obstructed view due to a nearby building.

Images from the scene depicted a blood-stained floor inside the building, and civilians assisted in clearing debris and corrugated metal afterward.

In a joint statement, the Israeli military and police, who oversee the border guard unit, said they were attempting to apprehend "wanted individuals involved in terror activities, including throwing explosives and shooting at security personnel." They described a prolonged surrender procedure lasting several hours before the suspects exited the building and were shot. The military added that the incident is under review and will be forwarded to the relevant professional bodies.

Israel has maintained control over the West Bank since 1967. According to the Palestinian Authoritys health ministry, the two men were shot in the Jabal Abu Dhahir area of Jenin, and their bodies remain in Israeli custody. The Ramallah-based foreign ministry condemned the killings as a "deliberate Israeli war crime" and called on the international community to intervene and provide urgent protection for Palestinians. Hamas also denounced the deaths as a "cold-blooded execution of two unarmed Palestinian youths."

Meanwhile, Ben Gvir reiterated his full backing for the forces involved, emphasizing that "the soldiers acted as expected terrorists must die!"

Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem stated the men were killed "while posing no threat," attributing the incident to the dehumanization of Palestinians and the disregard for their lives by Israeli authorities, according to executive director Yuli Novak.

Violence in the West Bank has surged following Hamas's October 2023 attacks on Israel and the subsequent Gaza conflict. Despite a fragile truce between Israel and Hamas starting last month, clashes have continued. Since the Gaza war began, more than 1,000 Palestinians, including militants and civilians, have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers, according to AFP data based on Palestinian health ministry records. Official Israeli statistics report at least 44 Israelis, including soldiers and civilians, killed in Palestinian attacks or Israeli operations.

Analysis: Fatal Shooting in Jenin Under Investigation

The incident in Jenin, where two Palestinians were fatally shot while apparently attempting to surrender, highlights the ongoing volatility in the West Bank. Both Israeli military and police have confirmed that the events are under review, signaling official recognition of the seriousness of the case.

Video evidence shows the men leaving a building with raised hands before re-entering and being shot, suggesting a complex and contested sequence of events. AFP footage and on-site images indicate that the men were not armed at the time of the shooting, raising questions about the proportionality of the response.

Statements from Israeli authorities stress the suspects’ alleged involvement in attacks on security forces, while human rights groups and Palestinian officials characterize the killings as extrajudicial. The case has drawn international attention due to its implications under international law and the potential classification as a war crime.

The broader context is a sharp rise in violence following Hamas’s October 2023 attacks and the Gaza conflict. Despite a fragile ceasefire, clashes in the West Bank continue, underscoring the ongoing risks for civilians and security personnel alike.

This incident illustrates the deep divisions in narratives between Israeli authorities, Palestinian groups, and human rights organizations, and it highlights the urgent need for transparent investigation and accountability.

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• Israeli forces shoot dead two Palestinians apparently surrendering in West Bank