Reports: "Israeli" forces authorized to kill unarmed Palestinians in West Bank

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) expanded its shooting directives in the occupied West Bank, contributing to a rising number of Palestinian casualties amid ongoing military operations.

According to "Israel's" Haaretz, the IOF's Central Command adopted a policy similar to that used in Gaza, allowing soldiers to fatally shoot any unarmed Palestinian, regardless of whether they are considered a suspect.

“The orders made it easier for soldiers to pull the trigger at the behest of Central Command Commander Avi Blot,” the report stated.

IOF soldiers participating in military actions in the West Bank confirmed to Haaretz that Blot authorized them to shoot to kill rather than detain individuals.

Soldiers noted that the sharp rise in fatalities among unarmed Palestinians was “unusual” and linked it to Blot’s instructions, which permitted them to target anyone suspected of planting explosive devices or “tampering with the land.”

The newspaper further reported that Yaki Dolf, head of the IOF’s West Bank Division, instructed troops to fire at any vehicle leaving an area deemed a “combat zone” and approaching a checkpoint.

This policy was evident yesterday when two Palestinians were fatally shot by IOF soldiers while driving toward a military checkpoint in the West Bank.

Additionally, Haaretz cited accounts from army unit commanders stating that soldiers used Palestinian civilians as human shields while conducting searches for explosives—a tactic previously documented during the IOF assault on Gaza.

Despite these reports, the IOF denied making any adjustments to its engagement rules in the West Bank.

“No change in the rules of engagement,” the army told Haaretz in response to inquiries about the reported policy shift.