Three IDF soldiers questioned over West Bank shooting of ‘terror suspects’

One of the men is placed face down on the floor, with one soldier kicking him in the ribs, apparently unprovoked. The same soldier then kicks the other man as he sits down at gunpoint.

At this point, the men are ushered back into the shutter door but, as they crouch to enter, the soldiers open fire, fatally wounding them.

Commenting on the incident, UN human rights spokesman Jeremy Laurence told reporters: “We're appalled by the brazen killing by Israeli border police yesterday of two Palestinian men in Jenin in the occupied West Bank in yet another apparent summary execution.”

The military has said that the operation has been placed under review, but that it was targeting “wanted individuals” with terrorist connections.

An IDF spokesperson said: “Earlier this evening, during an Israel Border Police and IDF operation in the area of Jenin, the forces operated to apprehend wanted individuals who had carried out terror activities, including hurling explosives and firing at security forces.

“The wanted individuals were affiliated with a terror network in the area of Jenin.

“The forces entered the area, enclosed the structure in which the suspects were located, and initiated a surrender procedure that lasted several hours.

"Following the use of engineering tools on the structure, the two suspects exited. Following their exit, fire was directed toward the suspects.

“The incident is under review by the commanders on the ground, and will be transferred to the relevant professional bodies.”

An investigation was opened by the Justice Ministry on Friday. During interrogation, three undercover officers working with the Border Police reportedly told investigators: “We felt an immediate and tangible threat to our lives.”

Per Haaretz, the officers claimed that the men had defied an order to strip for a search and had placed their hands back in their pockets before one of them attempted to flee.

However, the forces received vocal backing from Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who said: “The fighters acted exactly as expected of them – terrorists must die.”

Ben-Gvir later released a video of himself visiting the undercover unit’s base and hugging the commander of the unit involved, identified in Israeli media as “Lieutenant Colonel K”.

“I came to strengthen and hug the heroic fighters here,” he said. “We need to put an end to this distorted procedure.

"When one of our fighters shoots a terrorist, we immediately take him in for questioning. We are fighting enemies and murderers who want to rape women and burn babies.”

According to Haaretz, the minister also signed off on a promotion for “K” to the rank of deputy superintendent even as three of his men were being questioned, with Ben-Gvir informing the soldier of the decision during his visit.