An Israeli soldier opened fire on a civilian car in Hebron on Friday, May 5, killing a seven-month-old boy who was being held by his mother in the backseat.
The Shooting in Hebron
The incident occurred on Friday, May 5, around 7:30 p.m. near a checkpoint adjacent to the Tel Rumeida Jewish settlement in the southern part of Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Israeli soldiers opened fire on a car carrying a Palestinian family. A seven-month-old boy was critically wounded and later died in the hospital, while his parents sustained gunshot wounds but remain in stable condition.
Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
The Israel Defense Forces stated that soldiers fired single shots because they believed the vehicle had accelerated toward them, resulting in three injured Palestinians. However, the father of the child disputed this account, stating it was still daylight and his car windows were not tinted, meaning the soldier could clearly see the passengers.
The father reported that he was signaled to stop, complied by placing his hands on the steering wheel, and was immediately fired upon. He testified that a bullet passed through his hand before striking his son, Sam, who was being held by his mother.
Allegations of Obstruction and Brutality
The Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem reported that soldiers pulled two other children, 11-year-old Khaled and 8-year-old Mustafa, from the vehicle and subjected Khaled to a brutal interrogation. The organization further alleged that the military initially blocked ambulances from reaching the scene and later confiscated the bullet-riddled vehicle.
The child’s grandmother described the event as unbelievable and unacceptable, noting that the family was victimized simply for being at home. Similar incidents have occurred previously, including a March event where soldiers killed four members of a Palestinian family in the West Bank, including two boys aged 5 and 7.