Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian in disputed circumstances within the northern West Financial institution — the newest in an ongoing surge of violence that reveals no signal of slowing down
JERUSALEM — Israeli forces on Saturday shot and killed a Palestinian in disputed circumstances within the northern West Financial institution — the newest in an ongoing surge of violence that has gripped the area.
The Israeli military mentioned in an announcement that two Palestinian males tried to drive a automotive into troopers at Sebastia close to the town of Nablus within the occupied West Financial institution, round midnight, however the declare couldn’t be verified. Troopers opened fireplace, killing one and wounding the opposite.
The Palestinian Ministry of Well being recognized the younger man killed as Fawzi Makhalfeh, 18. Palestinian media quoted the victims’ household as saying the 2 didn’t goal troopers however that they have been ambushed whereas driving and their automotive was riddled with bullets.
The mayor of Sebastia, Mohammad Azem, mentioned he was one of many first to reach on the scene. He described a bloody carnage, with greater than fifty bullet holes within the chassis. “He was a college scholar,” Azem mentioned, “it was simply so brutal.”
Native media reported that Makhalfeh had simply handed his highschool exams and was in good spirits earlier than the taking pictures.
The taking pictures got here hours after a 17-year-old Palestinian was killed by Israeli fireplace elsewhere within the West Financial institution.
The spiral of violence, which reveals no indicators of abating, is likely one of the worst between Israelis and Palestinians in years. Greater than 150 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fireplace for the reason that begin of 2023 within the West Financial institution and east Jerusalem, in response to a tally by The Related Press.
Violence between Israel and the Palestinians within the West Financial institution intensified early final 12 months when Israel expanded near-nightly raids into Palestinian areas in response to a spate of Palestinian assaults towards Israelis.
Israel says most of these killed have been militants, however stone-throwing youths protesting military raids and others not concerned within the confrontations have additionally been killed.
Israel captured the West Financial institution within the 1967 Mideast warfare, together with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Palestinians search these territories for his or her hoped-for impartial state.