In a tragic incident in Tubas, a town located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, 24-year-old customs officer Abdel Nasser Sarhan was shot dead in the early hours of the morning. Witnesses reported that a white van pulled up next to the Palestine Customs Police office, and the driver greeted Sarhan in Arabic as he began his shift.
Surveillance footage captured the moment Sarhan left the guard post, his rifle casually slung at his side, before being approached by an individual in jeans accompanied by uniformed Israeli soldiers. Within moments, Sarhan was shot dead.
Israeli soldiers quickly swarmed the area, retrieving Sarhan’s rifle while further gunfire erupted as his colleagues attempted to reach him, an act visible on CCTV footage.
The following day, a visit to Tubas revealed a makeshift memorial of stones and wilting flowers at the site where Sarhan fell. The nearby guard post and surrounding walls were marked by bullet holes, while bloodstains still lingered on the ground.
On the day of the incident, the Israeli military claimed Sarhan was killed during an operation aimed at detaining two wanted men, asserting that soldiers encountered armed terrorists, leading to exchanges of fire. However, colleagues of Sarhan reported that the arrests took place in a nearby house, casting doubt on the military’s narrative.
Evidence from the CCTV footage contradicts the Israeli army’s claims, with an Israeli security official later stating that the incident was being reviewed as it did not go as intended.
This tragic event highlights a growing concern among local customs officers, as operations like these hinder the ability of the Palestinian Authority to maintain security and enforce law and order amidst increasing dangers.
Lieutenant Ibrahim Ayyash from the Palestine Customs Police expressed frustration over the challenges his team faces, stating that officers are becoming increasingly hesitant to approach suspicious vehicles for fear of colliding with undercover operations. He emphasized the difficult choices customs officers must make in the line of duty.
With ongoing tensions on the ground, the conflict continues to escalate. Recent months have seen an uptick in violent undercover operations by Israeli forces, contributing to the unrest in the region, particularly among Palestinian youth who feel disillusioned with both Israeli authorities and their own leadership.
The health ministry of the Palestinian Authority reports that over 600 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the escalation of violence last October, while approximately 10,000 individuals have been arrested. In stark contrast, at least 17 Israelis, including security personnel, have also lost their lives in the area.
Concerns mount that if the situation deteriorates further, it may ignite a new intifada or large-scale uprising. Observers warn that the ongoing violence could escalate into a broader conflict, threatening the stability of the region.
Meanwhile, in Balata refugee camp near Nablus, Sarhan’s family, devastated by the loss, reflects on the brutal circumstances surrounding his death. Sarhan’s father described him as ambitious and kind, a young man cut down too soon.
