Israeli forces have shot dead a 15-year-old Palestinian boy in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Authority. The incident occurred on Friday in the town of Al-Lubban Al-Sharqiyya, located in the Nablus governorate. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the death of Fahd Zidan Oweis, stating that he was killed by Israeli forces at dawn and that his body has been withheld.
Israeli military statement
The Israeli army claimed that during a counterterror operation in the area, they eliminated a masked terrorist who had been hurling rocks at Israeli vehicles on a central road, endangering lives. The military did not provide further details on the identity of the deceased.
Settler attack on mosque and cars
In a separate incident, Israeli settlers set fire to a room inside a mosque and torched two cars parked in its courtyard in the village of Jibiya, north of Ramallah. Graffiti in Hebrew was also sprayed on the mosque's outer walls. The attack took place shortly after midnight, according to Ibrahim Zibar, an employee at the mosque. He noted that young men from the village noticed smoke coming from one of the mosque's windows and from the vehicles, and it appeared that the attackers attempted to burn down the entire mosque.
AFP video footage showed a shattered window and fire damage to a carpet and plastic chairs inside the mosque, while residents inspected the charred remains of the two vehicles. Resident Saber Shalash expressed frustration, stating that their situation is no different from other villages and that the attack targeted their cars, property, and the mosque built through donations.
Palestinian condemnation
The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs condemned the act, describing the settlers' gangs as setting fire to the mosque in a cowardly terrorist act that reflects an extremist mindset with no respect for religion or international law.
Israeli response
The Israeli military said troops searched for the suspects but were unable to locate them. The incident will be investigated later by the Israel police. The military strongly condemned such incidents, including harm to religious institutions, and stated that it will continue to act decisively to maintain security and public order.
Context of violence
Attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have persisted for years, often with little legal consequence. The recent surge in violence, particularly since the outbreak of the Middle East war, has drawn broad international condemnation, including criticism from influential rabbis, settler leaders, and members of the Israeli military establishment. More than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements and outposts across the West Bank alongside roughly three million Palestinians. All settlements are considered illegal under international law. Violence has increased since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023. According to an AFP tally based on Palestinian Health Ministry figures, Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 1,072 Palestinians in the West Bank since the war began. Official Israeli figures show at least 46 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the same period.
