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Israeli Soldiers Admit Killing Infant; Indictments Remain Under 1%

6/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Israeli military admitted soldiers killed 7-month-old Sam Fahd Abu Haikal near Hebron and opened an investigation.
Father Fahd Abdul Aziz Abu Haikal, a Bethlehem University lecturer, said a bullet passed through his hand before striking his son.
Yesh Din reports fewer than 1 % of 2,427 complaints against Israeli soldiers led to indictments from 2016-2024.

History

Historical Context

In February 1994 Baruch Goldstein opened fire on worshippers in the Ibrahimi Mosque, killing 29 Palestinians and prompting the Hebron Protocol that split the city into Palestinian-administered H1 and Israeli-controlled H2. The 2024 killing of 7-month-old Sam Fahd Abu Haikal by Israeli soldiers revives those tensions, as the IDF faces 2,427 formal complaints from 2016-2024 with fewer than 1 % leading to indictments, intensifying calls for reform.

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Story summary

Israeli military admitted soldiers killed 7-month-old Sam Fahd Abu Haikal near Hebron and opened an investigation.
Father Fahd Abdul Aziz Abu Haikal, a Bethlehem University lecturer, said a bullet passed through his hand before striking his son.
Yesh Din reports fewer than 1 % of 2,427 complaints against Israeli soldiers led to indictments from 2016-2024.

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