On the afternoon of March 7, an Israeli settler known to local residents opened fire on Palestinians in Khirbet Wadi al-Rakheem in Masafer Yatta, killing Amir Mohammad Shanaran and critically injuring his brother.

According to medical sources and local anti-settlement activist Osama Makhamreh, Amir Mohammad Shanaran (28) was shot in the neck and killed, while his brother Khaled Mohammad Shanaran (33) was shot with live ammunition and hospitalized in critical condition.

Witnesses said the brothers were near their home when armed settlers from the illegal settlement of Susya opened fire on them.

Casualties:

Martyr:

1. Amir Mohammad Shanaran (28)

Severly injured:

2. Khaled Mohammad Shanaran (33)

During the same attack, several members of the Shanaran family were injured while attempting to confront the settlers.

1. The brothers’ father was severely beaten, suffering head injuries and bruises.

2. Their aunt sustained a fractured leg.

3. Their uncle and two cousins were also beaten, leaving them with multiple bruises.

In total, five family members were hospitalized after severe physical assaults during the attack.

Israeli Army statement:

The Israeli military said the shooter was a reservist soldier who arrived after reports of clashes between settlers and Palestinians.

Israeli Military Police said a preliminary investigation had found that the shooter was a reservist soldier who arrived on the scene after being alerted to the confrontations between Palestinians and settlers. According to the IDF, troops and police officers were dispatched to a Palestinian village in the Masafer Yatta area “following a report of a violent confrontation between Israeli civilians and several Palestinians, in which several individuals were injured.” Military police opened an investigation into the incident, the findings of which will be submitted to the Military Advocate General for review, the IDF said. The Israel Police also launched an investigation and collected findings at the scene.

Broader context:

According to the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, four Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers since the beginning of 2026, and 40 Palestinians have been killed by settlers since the start of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023.