Israeli troops shot at a Palestinian family's car in the Tel Rumeida area of Hebron on the evening of June 5 or 6, injuring a seven-month-old baby, Sam Fahd Abu Haikal, and his parents [1, 2]. The baby was evacuated in critical condition to a hospital, where he later died [1, 2].
The Israeli military said soldiers opened fire because they perceived the vehicle was accelerating toward them and responded with single shots [1]. However, the family said they complied with the soldier's order to stop and that the shooting began after their car was completely halted with the father's hands raised on the steering wheel. Father Fahd Abu Haikal said, "The soldier signalled me to stop. I brought the car to a complete halt and raised my hands on the steering wheel. Immediately afterwards, they opened fire on the vehicle." He added, "You can't say he didn't see that it was a family. I stopped as I was instructed to, and then they simply shot at the car." [1]
Fahd Abu Haikal is a lecturer at Bethlehem University [1]. The incident is under review by the Israel Defense Forces [1, 2].
The Israeli military expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to those harmed, describing them as uninvolved civilians [1, 2].
Three Palestinians were injured in total, including the baby and his parents [1]. The exact circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation.
