Israel Opens Military Police Investigation into Killing of Palestinians in West Bank
Israel has announced that it is launching a military police investigation into the killing of two Palestinians in the West Bank. The decision comes after Israeli human rights group B’Tselem posted videos that appeared to show Israeli troops killing the men during a military raid in a West Bank refugee camp. The videos have sparked outrage and accusations of “illegal executions.”
The security camera footage shows two Israeli military vehicles pursuing a group of Palestinians in the Faraa refugee camp in the northern West Bank. One man, identified as 25-year-old Rami Jundob, is seen being gunned down by soldiers while holding a red canister. The military jeep then approaches Jundob as he lies bleeding on the ground and fires multiple shots at him until he is motionless. Soldiers then approach another man, identified as 36-year-old Thaar Shahin, who is cowering underneath the hood of a car. They shoot at him from close range.
B’Tselem has accused the army of carrying out “illegal executions” and identified Shahin as being killed instantly, while Jundob died of his wounds the following day. In response, Israel’s military has opened an investigation into the shootings on suspicion that shots were fired not in accordance with the law. The findings will be referred to a military prosecutor, indicating that criminal charges could be filed.
However, human rights groups have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such investigations, as Israel rarely prosecutes such cases and soldiers rarely face serious punishments even if wrongdoing is found. In a high-profile case in 2016, an Israeli soldier was convicted of manslaughter and served a reduced nine-month sentence in jail after shooting a badly wounded Palestinian who was lying on the ground.
This incident is not an isolated case. Critics argue that there is an epidemic of excessive force by Israeli soldiers, police, and armed citizens against suspected Palestinian attackers. In a separate incident, police have suspended officers caught on video beating up a Palestinian photojournalist in East Jerusalem. The incident has further fueled tensions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which have been inflamed by the recent war between Israel and Hamas.
Palestinians and human rights groups have long accused Israeli forces of using excessive force and evading accountability. The outbreak of war has led to a surge in violence in the West Bank, with Israeli forces and settlers causing the deadliest year on record in 18 years. Since October 7, 287 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The international community has also raised concerns about Israeli war crimes. Human Rights Watch recently released a report highlighting apparent Israeli war crimes during the Gaza war. However, critics argue that the US has ignored these allegations for domestic political reasons.
The Israeli military police investigation into the killing of Palestinians in the West Bank is a step towards addressing these concerns. However, it remains to be seen whether this investigation will lead to justice and accountability for the victims. The international community must continue to monitor the situation closely and exert pressure on Israel to ensure that human rights violations are thoroughly investigated and those responsible are held accountable.