Israeli Forces Kill Two Palestinian Youths in Jericho
Two Palestinian youths, including one aged 16, were killed by Israeli forces in Jericho on Tuesday as violence continues to escalate in the occupied West Bank.
In recent months, there has been a surge of Israeli violence in the occupied Palestinian territories, characterized by deadly raids and operations by its forces.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that two people were shot in the chest during the attack on Jericho.
The victims have been identified as Qusay Omar Suleiman al-Walaji, 16, and Mohammed Ribhi Njum, 25.
Israeli authorities claim that the two victims opened fire on the Israeli border police, who responded with live shots. The purpose of the invasion remains unspecified.
Nasser al-Anani, director of the Jericho State Hospital, stated that the two victims were “wounded right in the heart by explosive bullets.” Two others were also hospitalized with injuries.
This incident marks the second deadly raid on Jericho since May 1.
Young Palestinians “Throw Stones”
Omar al-Walaji, the father of the slain teenager, revealed that his son would often be present during clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces.
Dozens of Palestinian mourners gathered at the family home in Jericho to pay their respects.
Ribhi Njum, whose family resides in the nearby Akbat Jabr camp where the raid occurred, expressed uncertainty about how his son sustained mortal injuries.
“Every time the occupying (Israeli) army enters the camp, young people gather and throw stones at the army,” he explained.
Israel occupied the West Bank after the 1967 Six Day War. The area, excluding annexed East Jerusalem, is home to approximately 3 million Palestinians and around 490,000 Israelis living in settlements considered illegal under international law.
According to figures compiled from official sources on both sides, the raid in Jericho brings the total number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict this year to 216. Additionally, 28 Israelis, one Ukrainian, and one Italian have lost their lives.
These numbers are relatively lower compared to the 200 Palestinians and 26 Israelis killed in Israel and the Palestinian territories throughout 2022, making it the deadliest year for Palestinians in seven years.
