Israeli Minister Backs Troops After Fatal Shooting of Palestinians

Two Palestinian men were shot and killed in Jenin, a city in the occupied West Bank, leading to intense backlash and accusations of war crimes. The incident occurred as Israeli troops engaged with individuals they described as “wanted terrorists.” Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, publicly endorsed the actions of the soldiers involved, stating that they acted in accordance with their duties.

In a statement on social media platform X, Ben Gvir asserted, “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 remarks were made following the circulation of videos that appeared to show the two men approaching Israeli forces with their hands raised before they were shot.

The Israeli military and police announced that they are reviewing the events surrounding the shooting. According to their joint statement, the forces were attempting to apprehend individuals linked to terrorist activities, including throwing explosives and firing at security personnel. The statement detailed that a surrender procedure was initiated, which lasted several hours, before the two suspects exited the building. It claimed that fire was directed at them after they left.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the deceased as Yussef Ali Asa’sa, aged 37, and Al-Muntasir Billah Mahmud Abdullah, aged 26. Reports indicate that their bodies are currently held by Israeli forces.

The Palestinian Authority condemned the incident, labeling it a “brutal” summary execution and a war crime. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called for immediate international action to halt what it termed the “Israeli killing machine” and to impose protective measures for Palestinians.

Hamas, the militant group governing the Gaza Strip, characterized the killings as a “cold-blooded execution of two unarmed Palestinian youths.” The violence in the West Bank has escalated significantly since October 2023, coinciding with the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

As tensions rise, the international community is closely monitoring the situation. The Israeli military’s actions have drawn widespread criticism, especially in light of the increasing number of incidents involving Palestinian casualties attributed to Israeli forces. The implications of these events extend beyond local politics, raising questions about accountability and human rights in the region.

The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as investigations continue.