WEST BANK ASSASSINATION 

How an Undercover Raid Claimed a Young Officer’s Life

SEPTEMBER 5, 2025

By Yihya Sirhan

In the early morning of 24th July 2024 in Tubas, a town in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, 23-year-old Palestinian customs police officer Abdel Nasser Sarhan began his shift as usual. CCTV footage shows him walking casually from his post, rifle slung over his shoulder, when a white van pulled up nearby.

A man in civilian clothes stepped out of the van, followed by uniformed Israeli soldiers. The man raised a handgun and shot Abdel Nasser dead. Moments later, Israeli soldiers filled the street, retrieved Abdel Nasser’s weapon, and fired as his colleagues tried to recover his body — all captured on security cameras.

Fourteen months have gone past and the site of the killing bears bullet holes, faint bloodstains, and a makeshift memorial of flowers that have dried: the unconditional love and fond memories still live. The incident has attracted international attention, including coverage from the BBC.

The Israeli army initially claimed its forces had encountered armed terrorists while detaining two wanted men and that Abdel Nasser was killed in an exchange of fire. CCTV evidence, however, contradicts this claim, showing Abdel Nasser was shot without a firefight. An Israeli security official later admitted the operation was under review because “it didn’t go as planned.”

Palestinian customs police say Abdel Nasser’s death highlights a growing problem: undercover Israeli operations make their work dangerous. Officers now fear stopping suspicious vehicles in case they are Israeli special forces, potentially putting them in mortal danger.

Undercover raids in the West Bank — sometimes involving soldiers disguised as civilians or medics — have reportedly increased since the Gaza war began. Israeli officials argue these operations are needed to curb armed groups, which they say are being supported by Iran.

But tension is rising. Since last October, more than 600 Palestinians have been killed and 10,000 arrested in the West Bank, while at least 18 Israelis have also died. Analysts warn the situation could escalate into a third intifada (uprising), which would present Israel with a far greater challenge.

Meanwhile, Abdel Nasser’s family grieves. His father remembers him as “ambitious, kind, always smiling.” He believes the shooting was deliberate: “They came to kill, just to kill.”

Yihya Sirhan is a Palestinian living in north London. Abdel Nasser Sarhan was his nephew.

Photo: c/o the family.