• Israeli soldiers reportedly killed two Palestinian men after they surrendered, drawing accusations of extrajudicial killings.
• The Israeli military announced an investigation into the incident, amid claims of excessive force and human rights violations.
• The killings were captured on video, with the two men appearing to comply with orders from Israeli troops.
• Over 100 arrests have been made in a military operation in the West Bank, which Israel claims targets militant activities.
• Ongoing regional conflicts raise concerns about further unrest and violence spilling over into neighboring areas.

Israeli forces on Thursday reportedly killed two Palestinian men in the occupied West Bank after they appeared to surrender, prompting accusations from Palestinians that the men were executed "in cold blood." The Israeli military stated it was launching an investigation into the incident, which occurred amid a broader military campaign in the West Bank, where Israeli operations have reportedly intensified over the past two years as Israel claims to crack down on militants, despite accusations of excessive force leading to civilian casualties, according to latimes, scmp, and npr.

The incident was captured in videos aired on various Arab television stations, showing the two men lying on the ground with their hands raised as Israeli troops surrounded them. Despite their apparent compliance, gunshots were heard shortly afterward, and the men fell to the ground. The Israeli military reported that the two men were wanted militants who had previously engaged Israeli forces with explosives, asserting that “fire was directed towards the suspects” after their surrender, a claim that Palestinians strongly contest, asserting that such investigations rarely yield accountability, according to latimes and scmp.

In the wake of these killings, the Palestinian prime minister's office condemned the actions of Israeli forces, labeling the incident as "an outright extrajudicial killing in blatant violation of international humanitarian law." The men have been identified as Al-Muntasir Abdullah, 26, and Yousef Asasa, 37, both of whom were claimed by Palestinians to have been executed after surrendering, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region and concerns surrounding human rights abuses, reports scmp, npr and latimes.

The Israeli military's operations in the West Bank coincide with a significant uptick in settler violence, which many Palestinians argue is perpetuated with impunity. This latest military action also involves over 100 arrests in the area of Tubas, following claims of attempts to establish militant strongholds, as the country grapples with regional unrest that threatens to further disrupt a delicate ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza, according to latimes, scmp, and npr.

In related developments, Israel also executed airstrikes on suspected Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon, amidst rising tensions that could further affect the fragile situation in the region. As reported, recent strikes have resulted in numerous civilian casualties, stirring critiques from various international watchdogs and deepening scrutiny of military actions against both Palestinian and Lebanese territories, according to latimes, scmp, and npr.