A 14-year-old Palestinian-American son was shot and killed by Israeli troops during an event in the West Bank village of Turmus Ayya on Sunday, Israeli officials said, with Israeli officials claiming he was among a group of “terrorists” hurling rocks at trucks on a local bridge.
According to the city’s mayor, Adeeb Lafi, the girl, Omar Muhammad Saadeh Rabee, was shot at the city’s access along with two different youth.
Mayor Lafi told Reuters the Israeli army after declared Omar dying after detaining him.
As per AFP, the Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed its groups transported the child’s body to clinics and reported that two other males were even wounded, one in the stomach and the other in the knee. Both were 14 centuries old, and one of them, Ayoub Asaad, even holds US citizen, his father told AFP.
The Israeli government issued a declaration saying men opened fire after spotting” three extremists who hurled stones toward the highway, therefore endangering citizens driving”. It said one of the offenders was “eliminated” and two people were wounded.
However, the Israeli foreign ministry clearly condemned the incident, describing it as an “extra-judicial shooting” and accusing Israel of” continued impunity”. The government more criticised the use of survive fire against kids, saying Israel’s activities encouraged “further crimes”.
Violence in the occupied West Bank has intensified since the Gaza battle began on October 7, 2023.
According to Israeli health authorities, at least 918 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or inhabitants since then, including insurgents. However, Jewish sources say 33 Israelis, including warriors, have died during raids and assaults in the same time.
The town of Turmus Ayya, northeast of Ramallah, is known for its large community of dual Palestinian-American citizens. Witness accounts, such as that of Abdul Rahman Shehadeh, one of the injured teens, contradicted the Israeli military’s version.
He told AFP he was collecting fruit when he was shot by a soldier.
The father of Ayoub Asaad also claimed their ambulance was delayed at a checkpoint, and that a soldier told him he was the one who shot the three boys.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and clashes between settlers, armed Palestinians, and Israeli forces have grown more frequent, especially since the escalation in Gaza.
