The Israeli occupation army has reportedly expanded its open-fire orders in the occupied West Bank, leading to a significant rise in Palestinian civilian casualties. According to Israeli sources, the military’s Central Command has implemented the same shoot-to-kill policy used in the Gaza war, allowing soldiers to open fire on unarmed Palestinians without verifying whether they pose a threat.
Haaretz, citing Israeli soldiers and commanders, revealed that Central Command Commander Avi Blot authorized these new rules, making it easier for troops to shoot at will. The head of the army’s West Bank Division, Yaki Dolf, further instructed soldiers to fire at any vehicle approaching a checkpoint from a combat zone, a directive that has already resulted in the killing of unarmed Palestinians. The Israeli army has denied any official change in engagement rules, despite multiple reports suggesting otherwise.
Rising Death Toll and Civilian Targeting
Since the beginning of 2025, at least 75 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, including 11 children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. In one recent incident, Israeli soldiers shot and killed Sundus Jamal Mohammad Shalabi, 23, along with her unborn child, while her husband sustained critical injuries. The couple was attempting to flee Nour Shams camp near Tulkarm when their vehicle was targeted at a military checkpoint.
Read More: KSA Rejects Displacement of Palestinians, Criticizes Israel
In another case, Rahaf Fouad Abdullah Al-Ashqar, 21, was killed when Israeli forces detonated explosives at the entrance of a house in Nour Shams camp without warning those inside. As she opened the door, the bomb exploded, killing her instantly. These killings are part of a broader pattern of intensified Israeli military operations in the West Bank since January 21, focusing on areas such as Jenin, Tulkarm, Tamoun, and the Far’a camp in Tubas.
Civilians Used as Human Shields
Israeli soldiers have also been accused of using Palestinian civilians as human shields during military raids, a tactic previously employed in Gaza. According to Israeli media reports, troops forced civilians to enter buildings suspected of containing explosives before conducting searches. This practice, widely condemned by human rights organizations, violates international laws protecting civilians in conflict zones.
The use of human shields has been documented in previous military operations, but its expansion in the West Bank signals an alarming shift in tactics. Despite growing international criticism, Israeli authorities have not acknowledged these practices or taken steps to prevent further civilian harm.
A Widening Crisis
The escalation in military aggression coincides with Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023. In parallel with the large-scale bombardment of Gaza, violence in the West Bank has surged, resulting in 910 Palestinian deaths, including 183 children, and injuries to around 7,000 others. The systematic targeting of civilians, coupled with open-fire policies, has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights groups and international observers.
With shoot-to-kill orders becoming more entrenched and military raids intensifying, the humanitarian crisis in the occupied West Bank is deepening. The rising death toll underscores the growing impunity with which Israeli forces operate, raising urgent concerns about accountability and civilian protection in the conflict.