The Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Health reported that Israeli soldiers opened fire on a family vehicle in northern West Bank, resulting in the deaths of four family members, including two children. The Odeh family, driving to a shopping mall in Nablus for Eid al-Fitr preparations, was targeted in Tanmun, where Israeli military presence is frequent. Survivors included two children with shrapnel wounds, while first responders accused Israeli forces of delaying ambulance access.
The Israeli army stated they fired as the vehicle accelerated towards them, claiming they were pursuing a suspect connected to “terrorist activities.” Local officials highlighted ongoing military operations in the area, including land confiscations and restricted movement for residents.
The rights group B’Tselem criticized the lack of accountability for Israeli soldiers, noting that less than 1% of allegations of misconduct lead to prosecution. The Odeh family’s deaths mark a troubling trend, with increased violence reported in the West Bank, alongside movement restrictions imposed since the start of the Iran war. The United Nations reported that 18 Palestinians have been killed in the region in 2026 alone, eight by settlers.
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