On June 25, 2026 around 00:55, the Israeli forces stormed the village of village of Sarta, west of Salfit, conducting house searches and arrest operations targeting several Palestinians. During the raid, Israeli soldiers entered a home and opened fire at Mustafa Taha Khatib inside the house, critically wounding him.

His family said Israeli troops prevented paramedics from reaching him for nearly two hours after shooting him inside his home. This delay leading to his death. Khatib was transferred to Salfit Government Hospital, where he was later officially pronounced dead.

They also arrested a citizen, confiscated an amount of 800 shekels from the house of the citizen Rashid Ali Khatib, and withdrew at 06:55.

The detainee during its storming of the village of Sarta is Ratib Muhammad Abdullah Al-Khatib.

Testimony of Khatib's uncle, Yassin Khatib (to Anadolou)

Yassin recounted the family awoke to find Israeli troops deployed across the town before they surrounded the house where Mustafa lived. "My nephew called me and said the army was in the town," he said. "I went up to the roof and saw Israeli forces positioned at the entrance leading to Mustafa's home." He said Palestinian ambulance crews arrived after the Palestinian liaison office — the body responsible for field coordination with Israeli authorities — was informed that someone had been wounded. "The ambulance reached the area, but the army prevented it from entering, cleared the surroundings of the house, and remained there for about two hours after Mustafa was shot and injured," he said. According to Yassin Khatib, Israeli soldiers later detained one of the family's relatives before withdrawing from the area. "Only then were the medics allowed to enter," he said. He added that he was among the first family members to reach the house after Israeli forces left. "I went in behind the ambulance, but the paramedics asked us to stay outside. Then we learned that Mustafa had lost his life," he said. Describing the scene inside, Yassin Khatib said there were clear signs of a violent raid. From the broken door and the damaged contents of the room, it was obvious they forced their way in without giving him time even to open the door or get dressed," he said. "They went straight into the room where he was and opened fire." He said Mustafa had lived on the property for four years, working in agriculture and construction. "About four years ago he built a small room and kitchen on the land and worked cultivating it. He had no problems with anyone and was never known for any activity or previous pursuit," he added. "In my opinion, what happened was an execution without any justification. They spoke about finding a knife or an axe, but those were simply work tools he used in construction, just like any other equipment related to his profession," he said.

IDF statements:

IDF Spokesperson: 'During an activity by Israel Defense Forces troops in the village of Sarta, which is under the Ephraim Regional Council, last night (Thursday), a rioter hurled heavy objects toward the troops.The troops carried out a suspect detention procedure, which included firing shots into the air. After the rioter continued to attack the troops and hurl heavy objects toward them, posing a threat to them, the troops fired toward him. Injuries were observed.'.

Name of the martyr:

Mustafa Taha Mustafa Al-Khatib, 32 years old.

Mustafa had lived in Sarta for the past four years after previously residing in Jordan with his family. He held both Jordanian and Palestinian citizenship.