The United Nations condemned the recent killings of two Palestinian men in the West Bank, labeling the incidents as “apparent summary executions.” This condemnation was issued following reports that the men were shot while seemingly surrendering to Israeli forces. Jeremy Laurence, a spokesperson for the UN rights office, expressed outrage over the actions of the Israeli border police during a press briefing in Geneva.
UN rights chief Volker Turk has called for an immediate, independent investigation into the killings, urging accountability for those involved in not only these deaths but other violations occurring in the West Bank. This incident reflects a troubling trend, as increasing numbers of Palestinians have reportedly been killed by Israeli security forces and settlers, often without any subsequent accountability.
The Israeli army and police announced they are investigating the events that took place in Jenin, where the two men, identified as 37-year-old Yussef Ali Asa’sa and 26-year-old Al-Muntasir Billah Mahmud Abdullah, were killed. Reports indicate that the confrontation was captured on video, showing the men emerging from a building with their arms raised, surrounded by Israeli forces. Footage then depicts them being directed back inside the building, followed by gunfire, after which both men were seen lying on the ground.
The Palestinian Authority condemned the killings, describing them as a “brutal” summary execution and labeling the event a “war crime.” Meanwhile, Israeli officials described the slain individuals as “wanted individuals” involved in terrorist activities such as throwing explosives and firing at security forces. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir expressed support for the actions of the border police, stating, “Terrorists must die!”
Laurence noted that the rising death toll in the occupied West Bank has occurred without accountability, emphasizing that the credibility of any reviews or investigations is severely undermined by statements from senior Israeli government officials that seem to absolve security forces of responsibility.
The violence in the region has escalated since Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, which marked the beginning of the current Gaza war. Despite a fragile ceasefire established last month, hostilities persist. Since the onset of the conflict, approximately 1,030 Palestinians have been reported killed in the West Bank, including 223 children, while at least 44 Israelis, both soldiers and civilians, have died as a result of Palestinian attacks or Israeli military operations.
