CounterPunch Exclusives

CounterPunch Exclusives

Requiem for Sam Abu Haikal

Sam Abu Haikal, killed by IDF.

Earlier this month in Hebron, in the southern West Bank, a seven‑month‑old Palestinian baby, Sam Abu Haikal, was killed when Israeli soldiers opened fire on his family’s car — a single bullet passing through the father’s hand before striking the infant and his mother. The car was carrying the boy and several relatives, including his grandmother, when they approached the soldiers.

This was yet another in a series of incidents in which Palestinian civilians were unjustifiably killed, revealing a daily architecture of violence and fear under Israeli occupation — a reality that statistics alone cannot convey. The Israeli military expressed “deep sorrow for any harm caused” and promised to investigate the incident.

However, almost none of those responsible for such grievous acts have ever been punished, despite repeated assurances of justice from Israeli authorities. Sam’s father, Mr. Abu Haikal, said, “There is no such thing as an investigation in Israel. They shoot and kill and there’s no punishment.” His grandmother lamented that the soldiers did not even fire a........

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