Israeli Forces Retain Bodies of Two Palestinian Teenagers
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) confirmed that Israeli forces are holding the bodies of two Palestinian teenagers killed near a West Bank settlement. The Ramallah-based General Authority of Civil Affairs, affiliated with the Palestinian Authority, stated that the shooting occurred north of Hebron. Official Palestinian news agency Wafa identified the deceased as Reda Sami Awad, 15, and Arafat Ismail Awad, 19. Wafa reported that Israeli authorities are retaining their bodies.
Military Claims Counter-Terrorism Operation
According to Israel's military, soldiers opened fire late Sunday on a group burning tires and hurling petrol bombs toward the settlement. Two individuals were killed, and a third was "neutralized," the military said, describing the incident as part of a "counter-terrorism operation." Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. Over 500,000 Israeli settlers live in the territory, excluding east Jerusalem, among approximately three million Palestinians.
UN Warns of Record Settler Violence
The United Nations recently warned that settler violence against Palestinians has reached record levels, with an average of six attacks daily causing casualties or damage. Violence in the West Bank has escalated since the Gaza war began, triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Since then, Israeli soldiers or settlers have killed at least 1,082 Palestinians, including both militants and civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Palestinian health ministry data. Official Israeli figures show at least 46 Israelis, both civilians and soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the same period.
