Chilling Footage Emerges from Jenin
A disturbing video from the occupied West Bank city of Jenin has sparked outrage, showing Israeli forces shooting and killing two Palestinian men after they appeared to surrender. The incident, which occurred on Friday 28 November 2025, was captured on camera and has circulated widely, drawing intense scrutiny.
The footage reveals several deeply troubling aspects. It shows the men being shot calmly and precisely from close range after seeming to surrender. Subsequently, a digger was used to bring down part of the building onto their bodies. Perhaps most alarming was the total lack of shock among the at least six soldiers involved in the operation.
A Pattern of Impunity
The Israeli military has stated that the incident is under review. IDF spokesperson, Lt Col Nadav Shoshani, acknowledged that shots were "directed toward" the two men as they "exited" a building, a description contested by the footage which shows them moving back inside at the soldiers' behest.
However, for those expecting a thorough and independent investigation, historical precedents are not encouraging. Data from between 2018 and 2022 reveals a stark pattern. Out of 219 court cases launched into allegations of Palestinians being killed illegally by Israeli soldiers on the West Bank, 112 were deemed unworthy of investigation. Of the remaining 107, 106 did not merit an indictment.
In the single case where a soldier was indicted, he was convicted of killing a Palestinian after opening fire at a traffic accident. His punishment was three months of community service.
Local Anger and International Apathy
Within Jenin, the video has become widely known. Farha Abu Alheja, a local resident, expressed her "anger and frustration", describing the killings as an execution carried out "in cold blood". She voiced a sentiment of hopelessness felt by many, stating, "We have no international protection. I feel that we Palestinians don't mean anything to the rest of the world."
This incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened tension in the West Bank, affected by the destruction in Gaza and violence by settlers. The political climate in Israel further complicates accountability. More than 60% of Israeli Jews oppose investigations into soldiers accused of abusing Palestinians.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's Minister of National Security, has been unstinting in his praise of the military and his fury at the idea of investigating soldiers. In the wake of these killings, he doubled down, criticising what he called the "distorted procedure" of questioning soldiers.
The video from Jenin raises profound questions about the rules of engagement and accountability. The footage seems clear, but the will to address the underlying issues, for many, remains in serious doubt.
