What's happened
On November 27, 2025, Israeli Border Police shot and killed two Palestinian men in Jenin, West Bank, who appeared unarmed and were surrendering during a military raid. The incident, captured on video, has sparked international condemnation and calls for independent investigations. Israeli authorities have opened inquiries, while far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir publicly backed the troops involved amid ongoing Israeli military operations in the region.
What's behind the headline?
Context and Implications
The killing of two apparently unarmed and surrendering Palestinians in Jenin underscores a deeply entrenched pattern of lethal force used by Israeli security forces in the occupied West Bank. Despite video evidence and international outcry, Israeli investigations historically result in few prosecutions, fostering a culture of impunity.
Political Dynamics
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's public endorsement of the troops involved signals a hardening stance within Israel's government, potentially emboldening security forces and complicating prospects for accountability. This political backing contrasts sharply with international demands for independent investigations.
Human Rights and Legal Concerns
The incident has been widely condemned as a potential extrajudicial killing and war crime by Palestinian authorities, UN officials, and human rights organizations. The use of lethal force against individuals who appear to surrender violates international humanitarian law and exacerbates tensions.
Broader Conflict Impact
This event occurs amid a surge in Israeli military raids and settler violence in the West Bank, contributing to a cycle of violence and displacement. The ongoing conflict and lack of accountability risk further destabilizing the region and undermining any peace efforts.
Forecast
Without credible investigations and accountability, such incidents will likely continue, fueling resentment and violence. International pressure may increase, but meaningful change depends on shifts within Israeli policy and governance. The West Bank's security situation will remain volatile, impacting regional stability and international relations.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh reported from Ramallah that the two men "pulled their shirts up, showing that they were unarmed" before being ordered back into a building and then shot dead, describing the act as an "execution". The Israeli military stated it had "initiated a surrender procedure that lasted several hours" before shots were fired, with the incident "under review by the commanders on the ground" (Al Jazeera). The Times of Israel detailed the military's claim that the men were "wanted individuals" affiliated with a terror network and that the shooting occurred after one suspect allegedly tried to re-enter the building against orders. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir publicly supported the troops, stating on X: "The fighters acted exactly as expected of them - terrorists should die!" (The Times of Israel).
The Independent and The New Arab highlighted the international condemnation and accusations of extrajudicial killing, with Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub calling it a "cold-blooded execution" and Hamas condemning the act as an "execution" urging international intervention. France 24 quoted the UN rights office calling for "independent, prompt and effective investigations" and expressing concern over Israeli government statements absolving security forces.
Human rights groups like B'Tselem, cited by Sky News and The Independent, described the killings as part of an "accelerated process of dehumanisation of Palestinians" and criticized the lack of accountability. The surge in violence and settler attacks since October 2023, documented by multiple sources, frames this incident within a broader context of escalating conflict and human rights violations.
How we got here
Since Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, violence in the West Bank has surged, with over 1,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces or settlers. Israeli military operations have intensified, targeting alleged militants amid rising settler violence. The Jenin raid is part of a broader crackdown amid a fragile Gaza ceasefire and ongoing conflict.
Go deeper
- What evidence exists about the circumstances of the Jenin shooting?
- How has the Israeli government responded to international criticism?
- What impact has the surge in West Bank violence had on regional stability?
More on these topics
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The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has
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Itamar Ben-Gvir is an Israeli lawyer, and a leader in the Israeli far-right Otzma Yehudit party. He is known for defending Jewish radicals on trial in Israel. He has called for the expulsion of Arab citizens of Israel who are not loyal to Israel.
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Jenin is a Palestinian city in the northern West Bank. It serves as the administrative center of the Jenin Governorate and is a major center for the surrounding towns. In 2007 the city had a population of 39,004. Jenin is under the administration of the P
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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The Palestinian National Authority is the interim self-government body established in 1994 following the Gaza–Jericho Agreement to govern the Gaza Strip and Areas A and B of the West Bank, as a consequence of the 1993 Oslo Accords.
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The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine, known in the West as simply Palestinian Islamic Jihad, is a Damascus-based Palestinian Islamist organization formed in 1981.