Israeli Forces Kill Two Palestinians, Including a Minor, in West Bank

Israeli forces have killed two Palestinians, including a 16-year-old boy, in separate incidents in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The ministry’s statement confirms that these fatalities occurred amid ongoing violence in the region, which has seen significant casualties since October 2023.

In the town of Qabatiya, located southwest of Jenin, the young boy was struck by Israeli gunfire during a reported raid. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the boy was seen walking when he suddenly came under fire. His death adds to a grim toll, with the health ministry indicating that Israeli forces have killed at least 1,102 Palestinians in the West Bank since October.

Another Palestinian, a 22-year-old man, was killed in Silah al-Harithiya, also in the Jenin area. Witnesses reported that Israeli forces engaged in extensive operations in the town, further heightening tensions in the region. The health ministry has yet to confirm the names of the deceased, and it noted that the body of the 16-year-old has been withheld by Israeli forces.

In related incidents, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that two additional Palestinians sustained injuries from Israeli fire near the Nur Shams refugee camp, located east of Tulkarem, as well as in the town of Al-Ram, north of Jerusalem.

Since the escalation of violence in October, nearly 11,000 Palestinians have been injured, and around 21,000 have been detained by Israeli forces. This ongoing conflict has drawn international scrutiny, particularly following a landmark opinion from the International Court of Justice in July 2023. The court declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

As the situation develops, the impact on local communities continues to be profound, raising concerns about the humanitarian implications of the ongoing violence.