Four Palestinians and one Israeli killed in West Bank shooting

A deadly shooting in the occupied West Bank village of Tell has resulted in the deaths of four Palestinians and one Israeli. The incident occurred near the Havat Gilad settlement, southwest of Nablus, according to reports from the Israeli emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA) and the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

Conflicting narratives surround the events. The Israeli military (IDF) stated that several Palestinians stole a "security guard's" weapon after responding to a report of an attack on hikers. The IDF claims these individuals then fired upon Israeli civilians. In contrast, Palestinian authorities assert that four residents of the occupied West Bank were killed by "occupation forces during an attack by Israeli settlers." They further allege that prior to the IDF's arrival, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian homes in Tell and opened fire on them.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that four Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire, with three in serious condition. It remains unclear whether settlers, who often carry government-authorized weapons, or soldiers fired the shots that killed the Palestinians. The Israeli victim was identified as a 30-year-old man. MDA reported evacuating two injured individuals by helicopter: a man in serious condition and another in moderate condition.

The Israeli military labeled the involved Palestinians as "terrorists" and is currently searching for some individuals while establishing security cordons around Nablus and Tell. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right figure and settler himself, called for strong action against the village and its surroundings, demanding the restoration of "governance and deterrence."

This incident adds to a grim toll in the West Bank. The Palestinian Ministry of Health states that 82 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied territories this year, with 21 attributed to Israeli settlers. Since October 7, 2023, over a thousand Palestinians have died from fire by the Israeli military or settlers in the West Bank.