A few days ago, the Abu Haikal family buried Sam, their 7-month-old baby. Friday June 5, while the family was driving in the Tel Rumeida neighborhood of Hebron, an Israeli soldier opened fire on the vehicle transporting them. According to Fahed Abu Haikal, the shooting began after he stopped the car at the request of the Israeli army. The infant was then in the arms of his mother Daniyah, in the back seat. Hit by a bullet in the head, Sam died in the minutes following the shooting.
The Israeli army said soldiers had identified immediate danger from the speeding car. But the Israeli NGO specializing in human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories B’Tselema published on June 10 a video taken by witnesses. It proves that the car slowed to a stop, before being targeted by a uniformed Israeli soldier. “The impunity that (Israel) enjoys from the international community has led to a situation where, under Israeli occupation, the lives of Palestinians have no value – even that of a 7-month-old baby,” commented BT’Selem on same day.
