British officials have condemned an Israeli military strike in the occupied West Bank that killed a baby, as the child’s funeral was held in the territory on Thursday. The incident, which occurred in the village of al-Mughayyir near Ramallah, has drawn sharp international criticism and intensified calls for restraint amid escalating violence in the region.
The baby, identified as three-month-old Amina al-Tamimi, was killed by shrapnel from an Israeli strike on Wednesday evening, according to Palestinian medical officials. The Israeli military said it was targeting a group of militants who had opened fire on its forces, but acknowledged the possibility of civilian casualties. A military spokesperson said the incident was under review.
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly described the killing as “deeply distressing” and called on Israel to exercise restraint. “The loss of a child’s life is a tragedy. We urge all sides to de-escalate and protect civilians,” he said in a statement. The UK’s consul-general in Jerusalem, Diane Corner, also expressed condolences to the family and stressed the need for accountability.
The funeral, held under grey skies in al-Mughayyir, drew hundreds of mourners who carried the baby’s body wrapped in a Palestinian flag through the narrow streets. Women ululated as men chanted for vengeance. The child’s mother, sobbing, said her daughter had been sleeping when the strike hit.
The incident is the latest in a surge of violence in the West Bank, where Israeli military operations have intensified over the past year. According to the United Nations, 2023 has been the deadliest year for Palestinians in the territory since records began, with more than 200 killed, including dozens of children. The Israeli government says its operations target militant infrastructure and that it takes steps to avoid civilian casualties.
International observers have expressed alarm at the frequency of such incidents. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said the killing of Amina al-Tamimi was a “stark reminder of the human cost of the occupation.” The Palestinian Authority called for an international investigation.
Israeli officials have not commented directly on the incident but have reiterated their commitment to self-defence. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that Israel would continue to act against “terrorists” who threaten its citizens.
The tragedy has also reignited debate in Britain about arms exports to Israel. Opposition MPs have called for a suspension of licences, citing the risk of violations of international humanitarian law. The government has said it reviews licences on a case-by-case basis and that no decision has been made.
As the funeral concluded, the baby’s grandfather, Mahmoud al-Tamimi, told reporters: “She was innocent. She had her whole life ahead of her. Now she is gone because of this endless war.”
The incident highlights the fragility of the situation in the West Bank, where the Israeli military operates alongside expanding settlements that are considered illegal under international law. The United Nations has repeatedly called for a return to meaningful negotiations toward a two-state solution, but the political landscape remains deeply fractured.
In London, the Foreign Office said it was in contact with both Israeli and Palestinian authorities and urged all parties to avoid further escalation. The baby’s death, it said, was a reminder of the urgent need for a political resolution to the conflict.
