Two Unarmed Palestinians Killed in Jenin: Israel’s ‘Shoot-to-Kill’ Policy Under Scrutiny

Nov 29, 2025
International

Image: “Taken from footage by Palestine TV on 28 November 2025, showing two Palestinian men surrendering with their hands up in Jenin, West Bank, moments before being shot by Israeli forces. (Source: Al Jazeera / AFP)”

International Desk, PNN:

The killing of two unarmed Palestinians who were surrendering in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin by Israeli soldiers has sparked international outrage. Human rights activists say this brutal act, captured on camera, is not new but part of Israel’s long-standing ‘shoot-to-kill’ policy.

The victims, Al-Muntasir Billah Abdullah and Yusuf Asasa, raised their hands to show they were unarmed and lifted their shirts to prove this. They were crawling back toward a building under soldiers’ orders when Israeli troops shot them at close range.

Although international condemnation followed the video release, Israeli authorities stated they would investigate. However, far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir praised the soldiers, saying, “They did exactly what was expected; terrorists must die.”

Israeli human rights groups and international observers have documented a long-standing policy of “shoot first, question later” against Palestinians. Physicians for Human Rights-Israel deputy director Tirza Leibovitz said, “Years of occupation, oppression, and isolation have created this mentality. Israeli society has become accustomed to such incidents.”

Previous killings include mentally disabled Mohammad Habali in 2018, autistic youth Iyad Al-Halak in 2020, and other unarmed Palestinians in Gaza in 2024. Human rights organizations note that, despite announcements of investigations, perpetrators are rarely punished. According to Israeli group Yesh Din, between 2018 and 2022, there were 862 cases of alleged military crimes against Palestinians, but only 13 led to prosecution, and only 1 out of 219 murder cases was judged.

Palestinian parliamentarian Aida Touma-Suleiman said, “This will not create a scandal in Israel. There is no sympathy among the public for such incidents.” UN reports also document inhumane treatment, including blindfolding, denial of food, forcing prisoners to wear diapers, and prolonged deprivation of basic sanitation.

B’Tselem public relations director Shay Parnes said, “For decades, Israel has created a society that does not see Palestinians as human.” He added, “A country can commit genocide only when a large portion of society supports or ignores it.” Human rights activists warn that this culture of impunity will likely lead to more killings like in Jenin.