Two Palestinian Youths Killed by Israeli Fire in West Bank Village

Two Palestinian teenagers were killed by Israeli forces and settlers on Wednesday evening during an incursion into the village of Al-Mughayyir, north of Ramallah in the West Bank. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported treating two individuals for live ammunition wounds, one in the neck and another in the back, during the settlers' and Israeli forces' attack on the village, and that they were transported to the hospital.

The head of Al-Mughayyir village council, Amin Abu Alia, identified the deceased as 19-year-old Omar Muhammad Naasan and Khalil Abu Alia, stating they died after an attack by settlers accompanied by Israeli forces. He explained that settlers and Israeli forces stormed the village center near the Grand Mosque, attacked two homes, and stole sheep. Abu Alia added that Israeli army snipers positioned on buildings in the village center fired live rounds at residents who attempted to confront the settlers stealing the sheep, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Abu Alia noted that the Israeli forces had completely blocked the village entrance, preventing entry and exit, before settlers began appearing in the western area. He stated that Israeli forces then entered the village, spreading throughout, and fired tear gas at Palestinians and their homes when residents tried to confront the settlers. Several villagers suffered from tear gas inhalation, and some young men were severely beaten by Israeli soldiers.

He further described a heavy Israeli military presence among Palestinian homes, particularly on the western outskirts, aimed at protecting the settlers and preventing young men from reaching the western entrance. The report links the incident to a broader escalation of attacks by the Israeli army and settlers in the West Bank and Jerusalem since the start of the war on Gaza in October 2023, which have included killings, arrests, displacement, home demolitions, and settlement expansion.