Israeli Soldiers Push Bodies from Rooftops in West Bank Raid
Qabatiya, West Bank - In a shocking incident, Israeli soldiers were filmed pushing three apparently lifeless bodies from rooftops during a raid in the northern West Bank on Thursday. The disturbing video, obtained by the Associated Press, has sparked outrage and accusations of excessive force by Israeli troops.
An AP journalist witnessed the soldiers pushing the bodies off the roofs of adjacent buildings, sending them falling out of view. This incident adds to a growing list of alleged violations by Israeli forces since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Human rights groups have condemned these actions as a pattern of excessive force against Palestinians.
The Israeli military acknowledged the incident in a statement, calling it "serious" and stating that it "does not coincide with IDF values and the expectations from IDF soldiers." The military also said the incident is under review.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed one death in Qabatiya and reported that 10 Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire and hospitalized. The identities of the dead and the cause of their deaths remain unknown.
The video footage shows soldiers picking up a stiff body and dragging it towards the edge of a roof before heaving it off. In another instance, soldiers hold another lifeless body by its limbs and swing it over the edge. A third video shows a soldier kicking a body towards the edge before it falls.
International law requires soldiers to treat dead bodies, including those of enemy combatants, with dignity. Shawan Jabarin, director of the Palestinian rights group Al-Haq, condemned the actions as "savage" and expressed doubt that Israel would conduct a proper investigation.
This incident comes amidst heightened tensions in the West Bank and Gaza, where Israeli forces have been accused of using excessive force against Palestinians. Human rights organizations have accused both Israel and Hamas of committing war crimes, and the International Court of Justice is currently investigating allegations of Israeli genocide in Gaza.
The Israeli military maintains that the raids in the West Bank are necessary to suppress militancy. However, the recent violence has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians, including children, women, and elderly individuals. The northern West Bank has witnessed some of the worst violence since the escalation began.
The international community has called for an end to the violence and a resumption of peace talks. However, with tensions remaining high, the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains uncertain.