Israeli forces fatally shot a seven-month-old Palestinian infant and wounded his parents in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The infant, identified as Sam Fahd Abou Haikal, was killed after the vehicle he was traveling in was fired upon by Israeli soldiers. His parents also sustained injuries in the incident. Dr. Tareq Barbarawi, speaking to AFP, confirmed the infant was taken to a hospital but succumbed to his wounds.

Ferial Abu Haikal, the infant's grandmother, told the Wafa news agency that the family was "surprised" by the firing, stating their vehicle was "completely stopped" and posed "no danger or justification for firing." The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported the incident occurred "after the occupation forces opened fire on them."

The Israeli military stated on X that during "operational activity," soldiers "perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them" and responded with "single shots toward the vehicle." The military added that an initial inquiry found the injured were "uninvolved civilians" and that the incident is under review.

Violence in the occupied West Bank has seen a significant escalation since October 2023, coinciding with Israel's war on Gaza. Data compiled by AFP, based on Palestinian Health Ministry figures, indicates that at least 1,080 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank during this period.

This incident occurs amidst heightened tensions and a broader pattern of increased violence in the region. The Israeli military's statement about perceiving a vehicle accelerating towards soldiers, contrasted with the family's account of being stopped and posing no threat, highlights a divergence in narratives surrounding the event.

Analysts note that such incidents contribute to the ongoing cycle of violence and underscore the precarious security situation for Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. The Israeli military's acknowledgment of an initial inquiry and that civilians were injured suggests a potential recognition of a mistake, though the review process will be closely watched.

Further details regarding the specific "operational activity" being conducted by the Israeli forces at the time of the shooting have not been disclosed. The incident is likely to draw further international scrutiny and condemnation, adding to the complex and deeply entrenched conflict.