The United Nations has expressed profound shock and condemned what it terms an 'apparent summary execution' of two Palestinian men in the occupied West Bank. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, was captured on video and has sparked international calls for accountability.
Details of the Jenin Incident
According to footage verified by multiple sources, including the Agence France-Presse (AFP), the event unfolded in the northern West Bank city of Jenin. Videos circulating on social media and television channels show two men exiting a building with their hands raised in a clear gesture of surrender, surrounded by Israeli border police forces. The individuals were then seen being directed to lie on the ground before being ordered back inside the same structure. Shortly after, a series of gunshots were heard. The two men were subsequently seen lying motionless on the ground, having been fatally shot.
International Outcry and Demand for Investigation
On Friday, the UN Human Rights Office broke its silence on the killings. Spokesman Jeremy Laurence, addressing reporters in Geneva, stated they were 'appalled at the brazen killing' and confirmed the office is treating the event as another apparent summary execution. The UN's top human rights official, Volker Turk, is now urgently calling for an independent, prompt, and effective investigation into the deaths. He emphasized the need for all those responsible for killings and other violations in the West Bank to be held fully accountable for their actions.
Official Response and Ongoing Tensions
In response to the incident and the graphic video evidence, the Israeli army and police confirmed on Thursday that they have opened an investigation into the killings. This event adds to the escalating violence and rising death toll in the West Bank, further straining tensions in the region. The United Nations continues to monitor the situation closely, reiterating its demand for justice and adherence to international law.
