By Qais Omar, Darwesh Omar and Muhammed Emin Canik
RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA): Israeli forces on Friday killed a 17-year-old Palestinian during a demonstration against illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. Later on Friday night, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian teenager and injured another, before abducting him, in the northern occupied West Bank town of Sebastia, northwest of Nablus,
In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry said the incident occurred in Umm Safa village, north of Ramallah, where Israeli soldiers inflicted severe injuries on two individuals, resulting in the death of one.
“17-year-old Mohammed Fuad Ata al-Bayed, who was shot in the head by Israeli soldiers in Umm Safa village of Ramallah, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital,” it said.
The clash between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers broke out after the Israeli forces used force to disperse protesters.
According to witnesses, Israeli forces used live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, and tear gas against Palestinian demonstrators.
Earlier, local councils and institutions called for anti-settlement demonstrations in the village center after Friday prayers in the village.
Every Friday, Palestinians hold protests in various areas of the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem to denounce the internationally recognized illegal Jewish settlements.
Israeli soldiers frequently use tear gas, rubber bullets, and, at times, live ammunition to disperse the protesters.
Israeli occupation forces shot and killed, on Friday night, a Palestinian teenager and injured another, before abducting him, in the northern occupied West Bank town of Sebastia, northwest of Nablus, local sources reported.
According to the director of the ambulance and emergency services at the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Nablus, Ahmed Jibril, soldiers prevented its medical crews from approaching the vehicle, until the teen was deceased.
Soldiers opened heavy live fire at a vehicle with two occupants, killing one and injuring the other. Citizens were able to inspect the damage to the car which revealed dozens of bullet holes across the entire vehicle.The slain teen was identified as Fawzi Hani Mokhalafa, 18, and the other occupant of the vehicle was identified as Muhammad Omar Mukhaimer, who was wounded by live rounds and abducted by the army.
The PRCS medics transported the body of the slain teen to Rafidia hospital in Nablus, once the army allowed them on to the scene.
The condition of the apprehended young man was not known at the time of writing this report.
[Photo: Armed Israeli forces attack Palestinians protesting against constructions of Jewish settlements in Ramallah, West Bank on July 14, 2023. Photographer: Issam Rimawi/AA]
