Israeli soldiers opened fire on a vehicle in Hebron, killing 7-month-old Sam Abu Haykal and wounding his parents, according to Palestinian health officials. The military claimed the car accelerated toward troops, but the child's grandmother Firyal Abu Haykal disputed this account, stating they had stopped the vehicle before soldiers fired without warning.

The incident occurred in a city of roughly 200,000 Palestinians and several thousand Israeli settlers, highlighting ongoing tensions in the occupied territory. Since October 7, 2023, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank, with deadly shootings increasing amid the Gaza conflict.

Previous cases like the Bani Odeh family killings in March show similar disputed circumstances, where military investigations rarely result in prosecutions. Between 2018 and 2022, Israeli military investigated 107 Palestinian killing cases but charged only one soldier, who received three months community service.

The Abu Haykal shooting underscores deteriorating security conditions that complicate business operations and international relations in the region, as companies face heightened risks and reputational concerns operating near conflict zones.