Israeli Police Launch Inquiry into Fatal Shooting of Two Palestinians

The Israeli police’s internal investigations department has initiated an inquiry following the fatal shooting of two Palestinian men in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on October 5, 2023. Security forces reportedly opened fire as the men appeared to surrender, raising significant concerns regarding the use of lethal force by law enforcement.

Footage from Palestine TV shows the two men exiting a building surrounded by armed Israeli forces, lifting their shirts and lying on the ground in an apparent act of surrender. Despite this, reports indicate that the forces directed the men back into the building before firing at close range. The investigation will specifically look into the actions of three soldiers from the elite Yamam counter-terrorism unit involved in the incident.

The militant group Islamic Jihad confirmed on October 6 that the deceased men, identified as Youssef Asasa, aged 37, and Mahmoud Abdallah, aged 26, were members of its military wing, the Al-Quds Brigades. Asasa was designated a “field commander,” while Abdallah was recognized as “one of the fighters” within the local faction in Jenin.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and police stated that the incident is under review and will be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for further examination. In a strong condemnation, the Palestinian Authority accused Israeli forces of committing a “war crime,” labeling the killings as “brutal” field executions. This sentiment was echoed by Israeli-Arab parliamentarian Ayman Odeh, who asserted, “This is an execution.”

In contrast, Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir voiced his full support for the actions of the border police, stating that the officers acted in accordance with their expected duties and that “terrorists must die.”

This incident has drawn widespread international condemnation. Jeremy Laurence, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed deep concern, stating, “We’re appalled by the brazen killing by Israeli border police of two Palestinian men in Jenin in yet another apparent summary execution.”

The operation on October 5 involved a border police unit surrounding the building where the suspects had barricaded themselves for several hours. The unit employed stun grenades and launched shoulder-fired rockets at the structure, which led to damage before the two men exited after a bulldozer partially demolished it. A source from the border police claimed that the men were shot after one disobeyed orders to remain outside and attempted to return inside the building.

This raid in Jenin is part of a broader Israeli campaign that has been ongoing for several months in the northern West Bank. Israeli authorities argue that their military operations aim to confront militant groups operating freely in areas where Palestinian security forces rarely venture. They contend that these actions are necessary to thwart attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians.

As the inquiry progresses, the implications of this incident will likely resonate through both Israeli and Palestinian communities, further complicating the already tense dynamics in the region.