Israeli Gunfire Kills 7-Month-Old Palestinian in West Bank as IDF Reviews Hebron Shooting
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 5
Israeli Gunfire Kills 7-Month-Old Palestinian in West Bank as IDF Reviews Hebron Shooting
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 5
Summary
Seven-month-old Sam Fahd Abu Haikal was killed in Tel Rumeida near Hebron, the Palestinian health ministry said, after Israeli troops opened fire on a vehicle carrying his family; his parents were also wounded.
The IDF said soldiers believed the car was accelerating toward them and one soldier fired single shots, leaving three Palestinians injured; it said the incident is under review and expressed sorrow for harm to uninvolved people.
The baby's grandmother said the family had stopped their car after seeing Israeli military vehicles in the distance, then came under fire; she said the bullet killed the infant, struck the mother's cheek and grazed the father's finger.
More than 1,000 Palestinians have been reported killed in the West Bank since the Gaza war began after Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.
EU sanctions target settlers, but what will it take to stop soldiers from killing Palestinian children in their cars?
When 96% of investigations fail, can an IDF 'review' deliver justice for a baby killed by its soldier?
A soldier's 'single shots' killed a baby. Was this a tragic mistake or the result of systemic impunity?
Fatal Shooting of Palestinian Infant in Hebron: Implications for Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and Calls for Accountability
Overview
On June 5, 2026, a tragic shooting in Hebron’s Tel Rumeida area led to the death of seven-month-old Sam Fahd Abu Haikal and injuries to both his parents, after their vehicle was struck by gunfire. The incident occurred in a tense area marked by frequent clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinian residents. In response, the Israeli military launched an inquiry and initially identified the victims as uninvolved civilians. This event has intensified calls for accountability and highlighted the ongoing risks faced by Palestinian families living under occupation, further fueling tensions and concerns about civilian safety in the West Bank.