Military Police probing Friday killing of Palestinian infant by soldier in West Bank

By Emanuel Fabian

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7 June 2026, 7:17 pm

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Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Fahd Abou Haikal, 41, shows a picture of his slain 7-month-old son Sam, at a hospital in Hebron on June 6, 2026, a day after the baby boy was shot dead by the IDF in the southern West Bank city. The IDF expressed 'deep sorrow' over the incident. (AP Photo/ Mahmoud Illean)

The Military Police has launched an investigation into the killing of a Palestinian infant by a soldier in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday night, the IDF says.

During the incident, a soldier fired shots at a car in Hebron after reportedly perceiving it as accelerating toward the forces, killing 7-month-old Sam Fahd Abou Haikal and lightly wounding his parents.

The IDF says the Military Police’s Investigatory Unit conducted a preliminary examination of the incident and decided to launch an official investigation.

The findings of the investigation will be forwarded to the Military Advocate General for review ahead of possible charges.

The IDF on Friday said it “expresses deep sorrow” for harm caused to civilians in the incident.