A deeply disturbing video from the occupied West Bank has revealed the cold-blooded killing of two Palestinian men by Israeli forces after they appeared to surrender, raising serious questions about military accountability and international protection for Palestinians.
The Chilling Footage from Jenin
The incident, captured on camera in Jenin in the northern West Bank, shows multiple alarming aspects that have shocked viewers worldwide. The men were shot calmly and precisely from close range after apparently surrendering to Israeli soldiers. Following the shooting, military equipment was used to demolish part of the building onto their bodies.
Perhaps most troubling is the complete lack of shock or surprise among the at least six soldiers involved in the operation. The footage suggests this was treated as routine military procedure rather than an exceptional event.
Local resident Farha Abu Alheja expressed the community's anger and frustration, telling reporters: "They were killed in cold blood. They could have just arrested them, not executed them. It's a heinous crime." She reflected the pervasive sense of helplessness among Palestinians, adding: "We have no international protection. I feel that we Palestinians don't mean anything to the rest of the world."
Military Response and Investigation Promises
The Israeli military has acknowledged the incident and promised an investigation. IDF spokesperson Lt Col Nadav Shoshani stated that shots had been "directed toward" the two men as they exited a building, though footage appears to show them returning inside at soldiers' instruction.
Shoshani confirmed: "The incident is under review by the commanders on the ground, and will be transferred to the relevant professional bodies." However, historical data suggests such investigations rarely lead to meaningful accountability.
Between 2018 and 2022, the most recent years with available data:
- 219 court cases were launched into allegations of Palestinians being illegally killed by Israeli soldiers
- 112 cases were deemed unworthy of investigation
- 106 of the remaining 107 cases did not merit an indictment
- In the single conviction, a soldier received three months of community service for killing a Palestinian at a traffic accident scene
Political Backdrop and Local Realities
The incident occurs against a complex political landscape where more than 60% of Israeli Jews oppose investigations into soldiers accused of abusing Palestinians. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister, has been unstinting in his support for military actions and criticism of investigations.
Following these killings, Ben-Gvir doubled down, stating Israelis needed to "stop this distorted procedure" of questioning soldiers and claiming they were fighting enemies who "want to rape women and burn babies."
Jenin has long been a crucible of tension and violence, with regular clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces. Although the Oslo Accords placed it under Palestinian control thirty years ago, the Israeli military routinely operates there to exert control, demolish buildings and make arrests.
The anxiety in the region has intensified with Palestinians facing what many describe as twin spectres: Gaza's ongoing destruction and increasing settler violence in the West Bank. The unapologetic response from many Israeli officials adds to concerns that such incidents may continue without proper oversight or accountability.
As the video circulates widely, it serves as a stark reminder that without such documentation, this incident might simply have been recorded as another military operation where two alleged "terrorists" were neutralised, rather than the apparent extrajudicial killing the footage suggests.
