Palestinian Family Of Four, Including Two Young Boys, Shot Dead By Israeli Forces In West Bank

Palestinian family of four, including two young boys, shot dead by Israeli forces in West Bank Four members of a Palestinian family including two young boys aged five and seven have been shot and killed by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, Palestinian officials reported, in an incident that has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed focus on violence in the occupied territory. The victims were identified as Ali Bani Odeh, 37, his wife Waad Bani Odeh, 35, and their two sons, Mohammed, 5, and Othman, 7 the latter described by witnesses as blind and having special needs. They were driving late at night after breaking the daily Ramadan fast when the shooting occurred, Palestinian health officials said The family was travelling in their car in the town of Tammun when Israeli soldiers opened fire on the vehicle, Palestinian authorities reported. The four victims were said to have been shot in the head and face, and were later pronounced dead at a hospital. Their two other children, aged eight and 11, survived the attack with minor injuries from shrapnel.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said its teams were initially prevented from reaching the scene by Israeli forces, and the vehicle was later towed away. The Israeli military and police said they fired on the vehicle after it accelerated toward their positions during an operation in the area. They described the shooting as a response to a perceived threat and said the circumstances are under investigation, but did not specify how the children posed a danger. Palestinian officials condemned the killings as extra‑judicial executions and part of a broader pattern of violence by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, where tensions have surged amid the wider regional conflict. Rights groups have expressed alarm at the civilian deaths and at restrictions on movement and access for healt workers The incident comes as violence in the territory including confrontations between settlers, soldiers and Palestinian civilians has intensified, with humanitarian groups warning of rising casualties and restricted access to emergency care.