On October 8, 2024, in Dura, near Hebron, Israeli forces fatally assaulted 66-year-old Ziad Abu Khalil, a prominent symbol of peaceful coexistence in the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Health reported that Abu Khalil was attacked during an Israeli military operation aimed at arresting his son. His son, Murad, recounted that soldiers entered their home at 3:00 AM, and when Ziad attempted to intervene, he was struck twice in the chest before being pushed against the door, leading to his death from his injuries.
The Israeli military declined to comment on the incident when approached by the French press. In addition to Abu Khalil, a 12-year-old boy, Hatem Ghaith, also succumbed to serious injuries inflicted by the Israeli forces during clashes in the Qalandiya refugee camp earlier that morning.
Since the beginning of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, at least 703 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli soldiers or settlers, according to Palestinian health officials. In contrast, Israeli authorities report that at least 24 Israelis, including soldiers, have died as a result of Palestinian attacks or during military operations.
This incident highlights the escalating violence in the region and raises concerns about the humanitarian impact on both Palestinians and Israelis as tensions continue to rise.