On June 22, 2024, a disturbing incident involving a Palestinian man, Mujahid Abadi, occurred in Jenin, West Bank. Abadi, aged 24, stepped outside his uncle's house to check on a commotion and was shot in the arm and foot by Israeli forces. He then experienced beating and was later tied to the hood of an Israeli military jeep, leading to videos circulating on social media.
The Israeli army initially labeled Abadi as a suspected militant but later admitted he posed no threat and was caught in crossfire with militants. The incident led to international condemnation, including remarks from U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, who labeled the event "shocking" and called for accountability.
Abadi recounted from his hospital bed how he was shot first in the arm, then in the foot, hid behind his car, and finally called his father in desperation. Israeli soldiers eventually found and assaulted him before strapping him to the jeep hood, reportedly to transport him to medical care. However, Palestinians and rights groups criticized this action, pointing out it prevented paramedics from accessing and treating the wounded timely, as confirmed by Palestinian Red Crescent spokesperson Nebal Farsakh.
Israel has a documented history of alleged human shield practices, despite a 2005 Israeli Supreme Court ban. This incident has highlighted ongoing tensions and accusations amid a broader context of increased violence in the West Bank and Gaza following an October 7 attack by Hamas that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and triggered extensive military actions, resulting in over 37,000 Palestinian casualties in Gaza, per local health officials.