Israeli soldier kills 7-month-old baby after opening fire on car in West Bank
On Friday, an Israeli soldier opened fire on a vehicle in Hebron, West Bank, killing seven-month-old Sam Fahd Abu Haikal and wounding his parents. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported the baby was struck in the face, while the Israeli military said soldiers perceived the vehicle accelerating toward them and fired single shots. An initial IDF inquiry found those injured were uninvolved civilians. The incident is under investigation. The shooting has renewed focus on civilian casualties in the West Bank, where more than a thousand Palestinians have been killed since October 2023. The father told media the car had stopped before the shooting and claimed the soldier could clearly see it was a family. The IDF expressed deep sorrow and stated the case would be reviewed by relevant authorities. Such deadly incidents involving Palestinian civilians remain disputed, with Palestinian accounts often contradicting military explanations.
Key facts
- Seven-month-old Sam Fahd Abu Haikal was killed Friday evening, June 5, 2026, in Tel Rumeida near Hebron in the occupied West Bank
- Both parents were wounded; mother in critical condition with shrapnel near her heart, father shot in the right hand
- Israeli military said soldier fired after perceiving vehicle accelerating toward troops; initial inquiry found victims were uninvolved civilians
- Father stated car had come to full stop on military orders before the fatal shot was fired about 7:30 p.m. in daylight
- UN reported more than 1,000 Palestinians killed in West Bank and East Jerusalem since October 7, 2023, including at least 240 children
- Israeli military launched investigation; Military Police subsequently opened formal probe into the killing
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning outlets stress systemic accountability failures and pattern of impunity, with one source noting Israeli soldiers have been indicted in fewer than one percent of cases alleging wrongdoing between 2016 and 2024. The focus is on context of escalated violence since October 2023 and calls for justice and investigation.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning Israeli sources acknowledge the tragedy and military sorrow but emphasize the soldier's perception of threat, the operational context of security activities in Hebron, and the need to await investigation findings before drawing conclusions about wrongdoing.
Limits of this briefing
Key dispute exists between Palestinian witnesses and IDF account regarding whether vehicle was accelerating or stopped when fired upon. International accountability mechanisms remain limited, and investigation outcomes are uncertain.
Sources
- The Washington Post: Israeli troops kill 7-month-old baby in West Bank, Palestinian officials say Centre
- PBS NewsHour: 7-month-old baby killed after Israeli troops open fire on a car, Palestinian health officials say Centre
- Times of Israel: IDF soldier fires at vehicle in Hebron, killing 7-month-old baby and wounding his parents Right
- Al Jazeera: Israeli forces fatally shoot Palestinian infant, wound parents in West Bank Left
- CNN: Israeli soldiers open fire on car in West Bank, killing 7-month-old baby Centre