Amidst a surge of violence in the region, Israeli forces have fatally shot a 14-year-old Palestinian teen in the occupied West Bank, as reported by the Palestinian health ministry.
The incident occurred in the city of Qalqiliya, where Israeli forces conducted a nighttime operation in a local neighborhood. According to residents and the Palestinian news agency Wafa, clashes erupted when youth from the neighborhood threw rocks at the soldiers, prompting the forces to respond with gunfire. Tragically, the victim of this incident was identified as Faris Abu Samra, a teenager who was shot in the head.
In another unfortunate incident that took place in the Al-Ain refugee camp on the outskirts of Nablus, a Palestinian man named Mohammed Abd al-Hakim Nada was killed during an Israeli raid. The troops entered the camp to apprehend a “suspected militant,” but a gunfight ensued as they surrounded a house, leading to Mr. Nada being shot in the chest, and he later succumbed to his injuries.
Alarming figures from the United Nations suggest that 2023 may become the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since record-keeping began in 2005. According to the UN’s Protection of Civilians report, 112 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank between January and May 29, which is more than double the number of deaths recorded during the same period in 2022. The report also highlights that Israeli forces have injured around 409 Palestinians, including 41 children during this time frame.
Last year, 2022, was previously considered the deadliest year for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, with 150 fatalities, including 33 minors. The death toll had been increasing annually for six consecutive years, coinciding with frequent raids on the area. In response to the violence, armed Palestinian groups have carried out shooting attacks against Israeli soldiers and settlers, further contributing to the tense situation.
The treatment of Palestinians has drawn condemnation from UN experts, who have expressed concerns about attacks on their homes and the destruction of their property. The experts emphasize that, until a resolution is reached regarding the unlawful occupation, Palestinians in the occupied territory should be treated as protected individuals, not enemies or terrorists.
Qalqiliya, where the recent shooting occurred, is located in the northwest part of the West Bank and is surrounded by Israel’s separation wall, deemed illegal by the UN. The city has witnessed clashes between Israeli military forces and Palestinians in the past, with similar tragic incidents involving fatalities, such as the death of another 14-year-old near the separation barrier during an altercation with Israeli forces in October.