Israeli soldiers beat renowned Palestinian activist to death in Hebron

Israeli forces on Monday beat to death a renowned 66-year-old Palestinian activist after raiding his home in the occupied West Bank.

Ziad Abu Helaiel was a popular tribal figure in the West Bank, famous for peacefully confronting Israeli soldiers during demonstrations and standing between them and protesters.

Abu Helaiel's son, Murad, told AFP that around 3am on Monday, a group of Israeli forces stormed their home in Dura, south of Hebron, trying to arrest one of their relatives.

"My father tried to stop them, so they struck him twice on the chest, then pushed him, causing his chest to collide with the door, which led to his martyrdom," Murad said.

The soldiers then withdrew from the house, leaving Abu Helaiel unconscious on the floor. The activist was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

News of Abu Helaiel's killing caused widespread anger and sorrow in the West Bank. A large crowd marched in the funeral procession in his town, chanting against the Israeli occupation.

Also at dawn on Monday, Israeli forces killed 12-year-old Palestinian Hatem Gaith while they conducted a raid in the Qalandiya refugee camp to carry out arrests.

لم يرتقي شهيدا بصاروخ أو رصاصة أو دهسا. لم يرتقي شهيدا خلال مواجهات، أو في الشارع، أو حتى في الأسر، استشهد في منزله عقب ضرب جنود الاحتلال له.
صاحب كلمة "بهمش"..الشهيد المسن زياد أبو هليل من مدينة دورا جنوب #الخليل،والذي ارتقى بعد اعتداء جنود الاحتلال عليه بالضرب خلال اقتحام منزله pic.twitter.com/Dpc2h9QDt1

— Dia 🇵🇸 (@Diarimpal) October 7, 2024

Ghaith was from the town of Kufr Aqab, north of Jerusalem and adjacent to the Qalandiya camp.

Since the start of the war on Gaza, at least 701 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian health ministry.