Jerusalem — The Israeli military is currently investigating soldiers accused of throwing bodies from a rooftop in the northern occupied West Bank during an IDF operation on Thursday, which reportedly resulted in seven fatalities, according to Palestinian officials. The operation involved intense clashes and gunfire with militants in the area.
Residents of Qabatya, near Jenin, captured the incident on video, which was also witnessed by an Associated Press reporter. While CNN cannot verify the status of the individuals whose bodies were disposed of, they appear motionless in the footage.
In one video, three Israeli soldiers are seen on a rooftop pushing a body over the edge. The body becomes entangled in cables, leading one soldier to dislodge it, causing it to fall to the ground. The soldiers are then seen handling a second body before tossing it off the roof, and one soldier uses his feet to kick a third body over the edge.
The IDF described the event as "serious" and inconsistent with its values, stating that the matter is under review. Under international law, militaries are required to treat the bodies of enemy combatants with dignity, which includes preventing mutilation and ensuring proper handling.
Jenin’s governor, Kamal Abu Al-Roub, reported that four bodies were taken by the Israeli military from Qabatya, while funerals for three others killed in the operation were scheduled for Friday.
A correspondent for Al-Arabi, Ameed Shehadeh, also witnessed the incident, noting that soldiers attempted to use a bulldozer to remove the bodies before resorting to pushing them off the roof.
Earlier, the IDF announced it was conducting a "counterterrorism" operation in the area, claiming the elimination of four militants. They later stated that they had killed the leader of a militant group and six others, although they did not specify the group targeted.
Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti condemned the actions as "barbaric," highlighting the brutality of the occupation forces.
Further violence in the area included an Israeli airstrike targeting a vehicle linked to militants. Clashes between Israeli forces and militants in Qabatya continued throughout the day, with reports of multiple injuries among Palestinians from live ammunition.
The ongoing conflict has seen a marked increase in violence in the occupied West Bank, with over 700 deaths reported since October 7, including more than 150 children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The Palestine Red Crescent Society confirmed that eight individuals were treated for live ammunition injuries, with two in critical condition
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