Two young Palestinian men from occupied al-Quds, Ameen Khalil Zaarour and Baha Shweiki, were killed on August 16 off the coast of occupied Yafa after being struck by the propeller of an Israeli maritime police boat, according to testimonies from family members and survivors.

Relatives report that the Israeli maritime police deliberately rammed the youths with their boat instead of rescuing them as they struggled against high waves. The incident, which also left two others severely injured, has sparked outrage in occupied al-Quds and calls for an independent investigation.

The victims, part of a family gathering on the beach, were caught off guard by strong currents. Eyewitnesses reported that five young men were swept deeper into the sea while swimming near the shore. The Israeli maritime police were present but reportedly failed to respond to pleas for help for at least 15 minutes.

“They were right there, not more than 50 meters from the boys,” said Ibrahim Shweiki, the uncle of both victims, who witnessed the incident. “We screamed at them, begged them to act, but they stood watching.”

"ما جرى جريمة قتل عن سبق إصرار وترصد" ..المقدسي إبراهيم الشويكي يتحدث للعاصمة عن تفاصيل مروعة وصادمة ! عن الحادثة التي جرت في بحر يافا المحتلة وامتناع طواقم الاحتلال عن إنقاذهم مما أدى إلى ارتقاء الشابين بهاء الشويكي وأمين زعرور من حي الثوري ببلدة سلوان وإصابة آخرين بجراح خطيرة… pic.twitter.com/tDpu8wrS0w

— شبكة العاصمة الإخبارية (@alasimannews) August 17, 2025

Eventually, the police boat approached, but rather than launching a rescue, it reportedly accelerated toward the swimmers.

“The boat struck Ameen and Baha,” Ibrahim told al-Asima News Network. “They could have saved them, but they killed them instead.”

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Eyewitness testimony reveals Israeli brutality

Survivors of the incident described harrowing scenes of violence and cruelty. Ibrahim's son, Hussam, just 13 years old, attempted to climb onto the police boat. According to Ibrahim, an officer stomped on the child's hands and kicked him into the spinning propeller, causing severe injuries.

Another boy who tried to board the vessel was reportedly struck in the face by an officer and pushed back into the water, where the propeller cut into him as well.

“My son told me he saw Bahaa, his face and hands shredded by the propeller, being stomped on and pushed back into the sea by the police instead of being rescued,” Ibrahim recounted to al-Asima News Network. “Three boys disappeared. Later, we found Ameen’s body a kilometer and a half away, crushed and broken.”

Photos and videos taken at the scene show deep wounds on the victims' bodies, consistent with injuries from a boat propeller.

Israeli authorities accused of evading responsibility

The victims' families accused Israeli authorities of attempting to cover up the killings. Police reportedly demanded that the families sign documents releasing them from responsibility in exchange for the bodies, a demand that was firmly rejected.

“They wanted us to sign papers so they could get away with murder,” said Ibrahim. “We refused. We are demanding justice and a full investigation.”

Despite media reports indicating that the Israeli regime's so-called Justice Ministry is reviewing the case, the families remain skeptical. “We have the testimonies, we have the evidence. What we need now is justice,” Ibrahim said. “This was not an accident, this was murder in cold blood.”

Baha Shweiki leaves behind two children, aged one and three. Ameen, the only son of his parents, after two decades of waiting, was also killed.

“Since October 7, we’ve felt the oppression everywhere, in the streets, in the markets, on the roads,” Ibrahim told al-Asima News Network. “But nothing prepared us for this. Our children were crying for help. Instead of saving them, the police used their boat as a weapon.”