Two men were shot dead by Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Jenin on March 14, 2024, following what appeared to be a surrender attempt. The deceased have been identified as Montasir Abdullah, aged 26, and Yusuf Asasa, aged 37, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Witnesses reported that the men exited a building, seemingly surrendering, when Israeli forces opened fire at close range. A journalist from Reuters, who was present in the area, noted seeing the men leave the structure before hearing gunfire, after which they observed Israeli soldiers near what looked to be a lifeless body.
Investigation and Controversy
In response to the incident, the Israeli military and Israel Police released a joint statement announcing the initiation of an investigation. They stated that their forces opened fire on suspects who had exited a building during an operation to apprehend individuals believed to be involved in “terror activities,” including the use of explosives and attacks on security personnel.
Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub condemned the shooting, calling it a “cold-blooded execution” of unarmed individuals who had surrendered. He expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of a thorough investigation, suggesting that accountability for the actions of Israeli forces was unlikely.
The military’s statement indicated that the operation involved surrounding the building where the men were located and attempting a “surrender procedure” that lasted several hours. Following the men’s exit, fire was directed at them, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting are currently under review by commanders on the ground.
Political Reactions and Broader Context
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, publicly supported the actions of the military and police involved in the shooting. On social media platform X, he asserted, “The fighters acted exactly as expected of them – terrorists should die!” This incident forms part of a broader and ongoing Israeli military campaign in northern West Bank cities, which has included operations in nearby Tubas.
The Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned the killings as an “execution” and urged the international community to intervene against what they characterized as escalating Israeli “field executions.” Notably, Hamas did not claim the two deceased men as members.
Simultaneously, Israeli air force operations continued in southern Lebanon, targeting infrastructure associated with Hezbollah. The military reported dismantling sites used for storing weapons. In a rare public statement, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticized Hezbollah for its failure to protect Lebanon from Israeli airstrikes, suggesting that the group has not succeeded in safeguarding its own leaders or the Lebanese populace.
In a separate development, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Lebanon on March 17, 2024, where he will meet with political and religious figures in a country grappling with multiple crises.
