Israeli Military Incident Results in Death of Palestinian Infant in West Bank

On Friday evening, a tragic event unfolded in the occupied West Bank as Israeli troops fatally shot a seven-month-old Palestinian baby, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The infant, Sam Fahd Abu Haikal, was killed when soldiers fired at his family’s vehicle in the Tel Rumeida area, south of Hebron City. His parents were also wounded in the incident.

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA provided details, reporting that the baby was critically injured after being shot in the face by the same bullet that hurt his mother. Despite medical efforts, he succame to his injuries. His father, Fahd Abu Haikal, a lecturer at Bethlehem University, sustained a hand injury. The family was traveling from Bethlehem to Hebron for a visit when the shooting occurred.

Photos from Mahmoud Illean, an Associated Press photographer, showcased the proximity of the baby’s car seat to the driver’s seat, alongside visible damage to the vehicle including a bullet hole in the windshield. This tragedy is punctuated by an image showing the child’s damaged car seat.

Israel’s military escalated its operations in the West Bank following a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, triggering the Gaza war. This military campaign in retaliation has reportedly resulted in over 72,900 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, as stated by the region’s Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-led government. This ministry’s reports are typically relied upon by United Nations bodies and independent analysts.

Reacting to the incident, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces informed CBS News that soldiers perceived the family’s vehicle accelerating toward them in Hebron. This prompted a soldier to fire single shots. The spokesperson acknowledged that three Palestinians sustained injuries and received medical care. However, specific details regarding the age or gender of those injured were not disclosed.

An initial investigation revealed those hurt were uninvolved civilians. The IDF’s statement further expressed regret for harm caused to civilians and mentioned an ongoing review of the incident.

At Hebron’s Al-Ahly Hospital, the father recounted to AP reporters how the bullet first penetrated the windshield, injuring his hand, before striking his son and wife. He detailed the bullet’s trajectory through his child, his wife’s face, and shrapnel near her heart.

The mother, in critical condition, remains unaware of her son’s death. Sam’s grandmother, Feryal Abu Heikal, was in the vehicle during the shooting. She said they halted near a checkpoint on noticing military vehicles and soldiers. Initially suspecting warning shots, she later witnessed the tragic events unfold.

The emotional toll weighs heavily on the family, compounded by the grandmother’s distress at the sight of her grandson’s injuries. She expressed disbelief at the severity and questioned the conduct of the military.

The funeral for the infant is scheduled for Saturday.

The British consulate in Jerusalem voiced its shock and sorrow over the episode. It pushed for a swift and transparent investigation, emphasizing civilian protection. Meanwhile, the United Nations highlighted that since the Gaza conflict’s commencement, over 1,000 Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have died, with at least 240 being children. This year alone, the death toll includes 49 individuals according to the U.N.

Back in March, a similar incident involved Israeli soldiers shooting at a car in northern West Bank, killing four people including two children, as stated by the Palestinian Authority’s Health Ministry.

Allegations against Israeli soldiers concerning Palestinian harm rarely lead to penalties. Yesh Din, an Israeli rights group, reports indictment occurred in less than 1% of 2,427 complaints between 2016 and 2024.

Currently, over 700,000 Israelis reside in the occupied territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These regions, taken from Jordan in 1967, remain coveted by Palestinians for their envisaged future state.