Israeli Soldier Investigated for Shooting Palestinian Near West Bank Barrier
An Israeli soldier is currently under investigation after a video circulated on Friday showing him shooting an apparently unarmed Palestinian man near the West Bank city of Qalqilya. The incident, which occurred on August 18, 2023, has raised concerns and prompted the Military Police’s Investigatory Unit to launch a probe into the matter.
The video clip depicts two soldiers walking along Israel’s security barrier when one of them opens fire at a Palestinian who is standing near the fence. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the incident took place during a riot in the West Bank barrier area, where several suspects allegedly attempted to damage the fence, threw stones and Molotov cocktails at security forces, and set tires on fire.
According to the military, riot dispersal methods and live ammunition were used to disperse the suspects from the security barrier. However, the footage does not show the Palestinian man who was shot engaging in any aggressive behavior or damaging the fence.
The condition of the Palestinian man is currently unknown. The IDF has assured that the video is being thoroughly investigated by the Military Police, and the findings will be sent to the Military Advocate General for further examination.
On a different note, a Palestinian gunman, identified as Muhammad Abu Asab and a member of a local armed group, passed away from injuries sustained during clashes with Israeli forces in the Balata refugee camp near Nablus in the northern West Bank. Palestinian media confirmed that Abu Asab was shot on Wednesday when the military was operating in Balata. The IDF, in response to the incident, stated that their forces had returned fire at a group of Palestinian gunmen. Footage was subsequently released, showing Abu Asab opening fire at the troops in previous clashes.
Over the past year and a half, the West Bank has witnessed a surge in violence. The region has experienced an increase in Palestinian shooting attacks targeting Israeli civilians and troops, nightly arrest raids by the military, and an uptick in attacks by extremist Jewish settlers against Palestinians.
Since the beginning of this year, Palestinian terror attacks in Israel and the West Bank have resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, leaving several others seriously wounded. The Times of Israel has reported that during the same period, a total of 173 West Bank Palestinians have been killed. While most of these deaths occurred during clashes with security forces or while carrying out attacks, some were uninvolved civilians, and others were killed under circumstances that remain unclear, including incidents involving armed Israeli settlers.
The situation in the West Bank continues to be complex and volatile, with ongoing tensions and recurring acts of violence from both sides. The investigation into the video capturing the shooting of an apparently unarmed Palestinian man will shed light on the circumstances of the incident and is anticipated to contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
