Israeli Troops Kill Two Children and Parents in West Bank Incident

Israeli Forces Kill Palestinian Couple and Children in West Bank Incident

A Palestinian couple and two of their children were shot dead by Israeli forces while driving through the village of Tammun in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, according to the Palestinian health authorities. The incident also left two other children injured.

The victims, identified as Ali Khaled Bani Odeh, 37, his wife Waad, 35, and their children Mohammad, five, and Othman, seven, were shot in the head while driving through the village. Two of their other children, aged 12 and 9, sustained injuries from shrapnel.

According to Khaled Bani Odeh’s 12-year-old son, who was rescued by soldiers but later beaten, the family came under direct fire without warning. The boy reported that his father prayed for protection while his mother cried out in pain before the shooting stopped.

The Israeli military stated that its forces were part of an operation to arrest Palestinians wanted for involvement in “terrorist” activity against them. During the incident, a vehicle accelerated towards the forces, prompting a response with gunfire. The circumstances of the incident are currently under review by the military.

In a statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the killings, describing them as part of a broader pattern of aggression against Palestinians by Israel. Al Jazeera reported that the family was returning from a day out when the incident occurred and were unaware they were approaching Israeli forces.

Separately, another Palestinian was killed in an attack by Israeli settlers overnight, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The death toll of Palestinians killed by Israel since the Iran war began on February 28 has risen to at least 26, with Gaza officials reporting three additional deaths from an Israeli air attack on Sunday.

Source: Al Jazeera