7-Month-Old Baby Killed by Israeli Soldiers in West Bank Car Shooting

A 7-month-old Palestinian infant, Sam Fahd Abu Haikal, was tragically killed on Friday, June 5, 2026, after Israeli troops opened fire on his family's car in the occupied West Bank, near Hebron. The baby sustained a fatal bullet wound to the face, and both his parents were also injured, with his mother reportedly in critical condition. This devastating event has drawn widespread condemnation and was followed by an emotional funeral for the infant.

The Israeli military stated that soldiers fired at a vehicle they perceived to be accelerating toward them, but an initial inquiry found the three wounded Palestinians were uninvolved civilians. The military has launched a review of the incident. However, the baby's father and grandmother, who was also in the car, disputed the military's account, claiming the vehicle had stopped before the shooting began and calling for justice.

This tragic killing underscores the escalating violence in the West Bank, which has seen a surge in Israeli military activity and settler violence since the conflict in Gaza began in October 2023. Rights groups and international bodies continue to demand accountability and transparent investigations into such incidents.