Israeli Forces Kill Two Palestinian Men in Jenin Amid Controversy

On November 27, 2025, Israeli security forces shot and killed two Palestinian men, Al-Muntasir Abdullah, 26, and Yousef Asasa, 37, in the northern West Bank city of Jenin. The incident occurred during a military raid, where the men appeared to surrender by exiting a building with their hands raised and lifting their shirts to show they were unarmed. Video footage captured by local media shows the men lying on the ground before being ordered back inside the building, where they were subsequently shot at close range. The Israeli military stated that the men were wanted militants who had previously engaged in violent activities against troops.

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The Israeli military and police announced an investigation into the incident, describing it as part of a broader operation aimed at apprehending individuals involved in terrorist activities. However, they did not provide a clear rationale for the shooting. Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed support for the actions of the troops, stating, “The fighters acted exactly as expected of them — terrorists must die!”

In contrast, the Palestinian Authority condemned the killings as “extrajudicial executions” and violations of international humanitarian law. Palestinian officials, including Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub, characterized the incident as a “cold-blooded execution” and called for accountability for those involved. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged the international community to intervene and halt what they termed Israel's “killing machine.”

This incident is part of a larger pattern of escalating violence in the West Bank, particularly following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that triggered renewed conflict in Gaza. Since then, Israeli military operations have intensified, with reports indicating that over 100 individuals were detained in the nearby town of Tubas in the days leading up to the shooting. The Israeli military has justified these operations as necessary to combat the establishment of terrorist strongholds in the region.

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The situation has been further complicated by rising tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinians, with increasing reports of settler violence in the West Bank. Human rights organizations have criticized the Israeli government's policies, asserting that they contribute to a climate of impunity and violence against Palestinian civilians.

Middle East Eye

Human rights advocates and Palestinian officials have condemned the Israeli military's actions, labeling them as part of a systematic pattern of violence and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank. Mustafa Barghouti, head of the Palestinian National Initiative, described the shooting as a “shocking crime” and called for international accountability. Observers have noted that the number of Israeli military raids in Palestinian territories has doubled over the past two years, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

While the Israeli military maintains that the men were engaged in violent activities, Palestinian authorities and eyewitness accounts assert that the men were unarmed and had surrendered. This discrepancy highlights the ongoing tensions and differing narratives surrounding military actions in the region.

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• “The forces acted exactly as expected of them — terrorists must die!” — Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israeli National Security Minister

• “an outright extrajudicial killing in blatant violation of international humanitarian law.” — Palestinian Prime Minister's Office

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• “How can anyone stay silent about the Israeli war crimes?” — Mustafa Barghouti, Palestinian National Initiative

The incident in Jenin underscores the complex and volatile nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with calls for accountability and justice continuing to resonate amid ongoing military operations and rising tensions in the region.