CNN on Tuesday analyzed a troubling occurrence that was caught on camera in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron. An Israeli soldier is shown in the clip shooting and wounding Tarek Abu Abed, a mentally challenged Palestinian man.
Tarek, known as “Ghazzawi” to his friends and family, was on his way home when he was stopped by three men in military attire and asked for identification.
His brother, Diaa Abu Abed, informed CNN that it was evident from Tarek’s behavior that he has special needs. The situation escalated into an argument when Tarek could not provide identification, leading to him being shot.
The persons involved were recognized by Diaa Abu Abed as Israeli troops. While some Israeli settlers also have military assault guns and wear fatigues, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed to CNN that they were involved in a fight with a mentally ill individual close to Hebron. The event is being looked into by the Military Police of the IDF.
The distantly recorded video shows what happened right after Tarek said he didn’t have identification. It depicts Tarek on his hands and knees, surrounded by a man in a red shirt who is labeled as his friend, and three men dressed in military uniforms standing over him. The buddy tried to explain Tarek’s mental illness to the soldiers, but it seemed like they ignored her advice.
Tarek appears to be trying to stand up when a gunshot is heard, and he collapses to the ground in pain, with the men continuing to aim their weapons at him. Diaa Abu Abed rushed to the scene after being alerted by an onlooker.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that they transported a 34-year-old man with a leg bullet wound from Qalqas to the hospital. Tarek Abu Abed suffered heavy bleeding and has undergone surgery on his leg.
This incident is part of a broader context of increasing violence in the West Bank. Since October 7, at least 256 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as reported by the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
