Israeli forces kill Palestinian teen in West Bank raid, say Palestinian officials
The military says suspects opened fire and hurled explosives at its forces
10 April 2023 - 17:49
byMohamad Torokman
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Mourners and gunmen take part in the funeral of Palestinians killed in an Israeli raid, in Jenin, January 26 2023. Picture: RANEEN SAWAFTA/REUTERS
Aqabat Jab — Israeli forces killed a Palestinian teen during a military raid near the occupied West Bank city of Jericho on Monday, the Palestinian health ministry said.
The ministry said 15-year-old Mohammad Balhan sustained gunshot wounds to his head, chest and abdomen.
The Israeli military said its forces operated in the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp, adjacent to Jericho, to apprehend Palestinians suspected in involvement in attacks against Israelis.
The military said that during the raid, suspects opened fire and hurled explosives at its forces, who responded with live fire and hit some of the suspects, but no soldiers were wounded.
Israeli-Palestinian violence has surged in 2023, with frequent military raids and violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank amid a spate of Palestinian attacks. More than 90 Palestinians and at least 18 Israelis and foreigners have been killed since January.
A view taken from the Mount of Olives shows a group of Jewish visitors at the al-Aqsa compound, also known to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City, April 9 2023. Picture: DEDI HAYUN/REUTERS
Tensions have been especially high after Israeli police raids on the al-Aqsa mosque compound last week, which triggered rocket attacks on Israel that were met with Israeli strikes in Gaza, south Lebanon and Syria.
An eyewitness said he saw some people hurling rocks at the military after they raided the camp.
“I had just left my house when I saw military forces and people throwing stones,” said Fayez Balhan, the teen’s father.
After carrying another wounded person to an ambulance, the father noticed a young man lying on the ground, who turned out to be his son.
“They shot him in the head,” the teen’s aunt, Maysoon, said , crying. “What is going to happen to our people? What will happen to us?”
The Palestinian Prisoners Association said the Israeli military arrested at least two people during the raid.
“We urge the world to hold this [Israeli] government accountable for its crimes, which occur on a daily basis,” Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said at the start of the weekly government session.
In a separate part of the West Bank, thousands of Israelis, including government ministers, marched towards the evacuated outpost of Evyatar in support of settlement expansion.
Palestinians want an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza with East Jerusalem as its capital — territories Israel captured in a 1967 war.
US-sponsored statehood talks have been stalled since 2014 while Jewish settlements have expanded, developments which Palestinians say have undermined the chances of a viable state being established.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Israeli forces kill Palestinian teen in West Bank raid, say Palestinian officials
The military says suspects opened fire and hurled explosives at its forces
Aqabat Jab — Israeli forces killed a Palestinian teen during a military raid near the occupied West Bank city of Jericho on Monday, the Palestinian health ministry said.
The ministry said 15-year-old Mohammad Balhan sustained gunshot wounds to his head, chest and abdomen.
The Israeli military said its forces operated in the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp, adjacent to Jericho, to apprehend Palestinians suspected in involvement in attacks against Israelis.
The military said that during the raid, suspects opened fire and hurled explosives at its forces, who responded with live fire and hit some of the suspects, but no soldiers were wounded.
Israeli-Palestinian violence has surged in 2023, with frequent military raids and violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank amid a spate of Palestinian attacks. More than 90 Palestinians and at least 18 Israelis and foreigners have been killed since January.
Tensions have been especially high after Israeli police raids on the al-Aqsa mosque compound last week, which triggered rocket attacks on Israel that were met with Israeli strikes in Gaza, south Lebanon and Syria.
An eyewitness said he saw some people hurling rocks at the military after they raided the camp.
“I had just left my house when I saw military forces and people throwing stones,” said Fayez Balhan, the teen’s father.
After carrying another wounded person to an ambulance, the father noticed a young man lying on the ground, who turned out to be his son.
“They shot him in the head,” the teen’s aunt, Maysoon, said , crying. “What is going to happen to our people? What will happen to us?”
The Palestinian Prisoners Association said the Israeli military arrested at least two people during the raid.
“We urge the world to hold this [Israeli] government accountable for its crimes, which occur on a daily basis,” Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said at the start of the weekly government session.
In a separate part of the West Bank, thousands of Israelis, including government ministers, marched towards the evacuated outpost of Evyatar in support of settlement expansion.
Palestinians want an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza with East Jerusalem as its capital — territories Israel captured in a 1967 war.
US-sponsored statehood talks have been stalled since 2014 while Jewish settlements have expanded, developments which Palestinians say have undermined the chances of a viable state being established.
Reuters
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Israel approves far-right security minister’s national guard
Saudi-Iran detente a setback for Israel’s efforts to isolate Tehran
Israel deploys more troops after West Bank homes torched
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.