The Israeli military is currently investigating soldiers for an incident that occurred in the northern occupied West Bank, where bodies were thrown from a rooftop during an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) incursion. The incident, which took place in Qabatya near Jenin, resulted in seven deaths according to the Palestinian government.
Video footage captured by residents of Qabatya shows Israeli soldiers pushing bodies over the edge of a building. The bodies, appearing motionless and lifeless, were handled in a manner that does not align with IDF values, as stated by the military in a subsequent statement.
Under international law, militaries are required to treat the bodies of enemy soldiers with respect and prevent mutilation, as well as facilitate their return to the deceased's family. The incident is currently under review by the Israeli military.
The IDF had earlier conducted a counterterrorism operation in the area, resulting in the deaths of four militants. The military later confirmed the killing of the head of a terrorist organization in Qabatiya and six other terrorists.
Palestinian officials and politicians have condemned the treatment of the bodies as barbaric, highlighting the ongoing clashes and intense gunfire in the region. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported treating eight individuals wounded by live ammunition, with two in critical condition.
Recent weeks have seen an escalation of militarized tactics by the Israeli military in the occupied West Bank, with a significant number of casualties reported. Clashes between militants and security forces continue in Qabatya, underscoring the volatile situation in the region.
