Khaberni - Elements from a Palestinian security apparatus killed two children in the town of Tammun in Tubas governorate, northeast of the occupied West Bank on Sunday, during the pursuit of their father, Samer Samara, who is wanted by the Israeli occupation.
While the security forces announced an immediate investigation into the incident, the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) condemned what they described as a "new black spot" in the record of those security agencies.
Security elements opened fire on the children's father's car, instantly killing the boy Yazan (16 years old) according to medical sources, while his sister later died from her injuries.
A Palestinian security force had set up an ambush and then chased Samara's car, who sources in his village said was wanted by the Israeli occupation.
The spokesperson for the Palestinian security forces, Major General Anwar Rajab, said in a statement that the security institution "is closely following what happened today during the execution of an important task by a security force in Tubas governorate, to arrest one of the wanted persons based on a judicial warrant."
He added, "While the security institution deeply regrets the casualties during the mission, it confirms that the circumstances of the incident are still under meticulous and diligent review."
The spokesperson stated that an immediate and comprehensive investigation has been opened to ascertain all details and determine responsibilities.
On its part, Hamas held the leadership of the Palestinian Authority fully responsible for the "consequences of these crimes and their repercussions."
The movement said in a statement on Sunday evening that what happened represents a "black spot" in the record of security agencies that continue to "bully the people instead of protecting them."
Hamas warned of the impact of this approach on the national fabric and demanded accountability for those involved, an end to the pursuit of the pursued, and the release of political prisoners.
Earlier, local media reported that a force from the Preventive Security Service and "Arrow" unit set up an ambush for Samer Samara's car and fired a barrage of bullets at it, resulting in the immediate martyrdom of his son Yazan (16 years old), the wounding of several of his siblings, as well as the wounding and arrest of Samara himself while injured.
The injured children were transferred to hospitals in Tubas and Nablus, before it was announced that a girl had been martyred from a severe head injury.
The Committee of the Families of Political Prisoners condemned the incident, considering it the result of a "systematic policy" targeting the pursuance of resistance fighters and the pursued even if the cost was the spilling of Palestinian blood.
The committee pointed out that what happened constitutes a "dangerous deviation" and puts the security agencies in confrontation with their own people instead of protecting them.
