Israeli soldiers shoot dead surrendering Palestinians | DW News

Key Concepts

• Janine Raid: A specific Israeli military operation in the Jabal Abu Dahir neighborhood of Janine, occupied West Bank.
• Extrajudicial Killing/Execution: Accusations by human rights organizations regarding the shooting of two unarmed Palestinian men who appeared to be surrendering.
• War Crime: The Palestinian Authority's condemnation of the incident, stating it amounts to a war crime.
• Terror Network: The Israeli military's justification for the operation, claiming the men were wanted and affiliated with a terror network.
• Border Police: The specific Israeli force involved in the Janine incident.
• Occupied West Bank: The geographical context for the Janine raid and ongoing Israeli military operations.
• Unpunished Killings: A recurring issue highlighted by human rights organizations and Palestinians regarding past incidents involving Israeli forces or settlers.

Recent Raids and Fatalities

The video begins by reporting on two significant and deadly raids. In southern Syria, Syrian state media claims Israeli forces killed 10 people, including women and children. The Israeli military released a video stating its operation targeted an "Islamist group." This incident marks the deadliest raid in Syria since Bashar al-Assad's fall from power nearly a year ago.

The primary focus then shifts to a raid in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, specifically in the city of Janine. Palestinian TV news footage captured Israeli troops shooting dead two Palestinian men who appeared to be unarmed and in the process of surrendering.

The Janine Incident: A Detailed Account

DW's Emily Gordine reported live from the scene in the Jabal Abu Dahir neighborhood in Janine, where the incident occurred around 11:30 in the morning.

Sequence of Events:

1. Surrounding the Building: Israeli forces surrounded a building, visible with a white drape covering one of its entrances.
2. Barricade and Engagement: According to Israeli authorities, two "suspects" had barricaded themselves inside. Israeli forces reportedly threw stun grenades and fired at the building's walls, with visible firing holes remaining.
3. Apparent Surrender: The two Palestinian men were seen on video leaving the building, surrounded by armed Israeli forces.
4. Shooting at Close Range: Officers reportedly took control of the men, ordered them to lie on the ground with their hands up, and then "shoot and kill them at close distance" as they appeared to be surrendering.

Conflicting Narratives and Accusations

Human Rights Organizations and Palestinian Authority:

• Accusations of Execution: Human rights organizations in Israel have "accused Israeli authorities here of of committing an execution essentially."
• War Crime Allegation: The Palestinian Authority has condemned the incident, stating "this amounts to a war crime."

Israeli Military and Police Response:

• "Wanted Men" and "Terror Network": The Israeli military and police claim the two men were "wanted men affiliated with a terror network" operating in Janine. They allege the men had "thrown explosive devices and fired at Israeli forces in the past."
• Ongoing Investigation: The Israeli military police are "under enormous pressure to explain this incident" and state that the incident is "under investigation." An officer "associated with this killing" is also reportedly under investigation.

Broader Context of Israeli Operations and Skepticism

The incident in Janine occurs within a broader context of ongoing Israeli military operations. Israeli forces have been carrying out operations in Janine, Tulkarem, and the Nur Shams refugee camp (also in the north of the West Bank) for approximately 10 months. This has led to "repeated raids" in the area.

Skepticism Regarding Investigations: Despite the Israeli authorities' claims of an investigation, Emily Gordine highlights a significant lack of hope among human rights organizations in Israel and Palestinians that this will lead to any consequences. This skepticism stems from a historical pattern in the West Bank where "killings of Palestinians whether by settlers or by soldiers or police officers are largely... without consequences."

Family Perspective and Contradictions

Emily Gordine spoke with family members of one of the victims, Montaser Abu Abad, who was only 26 years old.

• Devastation and Disbelief: His two brothers expressed devastation, particularly by the video footage showing their brother surrendering, lying on the ground with his hands up, yet still being killed. They "don't understand why he was killed."
• Contradiction of "Wanted" Status: The family directly contradicts Israeli authorities' claims, stating that Montaser Abu Abad was "not in fact wanted by the Israeli forces." While they admit the other suspect was known to be wanted, they assert their brother had "just come here to have lunch" and was not wanted. This raises "questions about the accuracy" of Israeli authorities' statements.

Conclusion

The Janine raid has sparked significant controversy and condemnation, with human rights organizations and the Palestinian Authority alleging an execution and a war crime, respectively. While Israeli authorities claim the men were wanted members of a terror network and that an investigation is underway, there is widespread skepticism about the likelihood of accountability, given past patterns of unpunished killings. The family of one victim vehemently denies his "wanted" status, adding to the "lot of question marks over the whole incident" and underscoring the need for further clarification.