Two Palestinian boys, including an 8-year-old, were killed by Israeli fire Wednesday during a military raid in the West Bank town of Jenin, Palestinian health officials said. Two militants were also killed, the army said. The circumstances of the shooting of the boys were unclear. Security camera footage showed what appear to be children gathered on a street. The children run away, while one boy remains standing until he falls to the ground and another appears to disappear next to a car. Health officials identified the boys as Adam Samer al-Ghoul, 8, and Basil Suleiman Abu al-Wafa, 15.
Quick Read
- Fatalities in Jenin Raid: Two Palestinian boys, including an 8-year-old, were killed during an Israeli military operation in Jenin, as reported by Palestinian health officials.
- Circumstances of Boys’ Deaths Unclear: Security footage shows the boys on a street, but the exact circumstances of their shooting remain unclear.
- Victims Identified: The boys were identified as Adam Samer al-Ghoul, 8, and Basil Suleiman Abu al-Wafa, 15.
- Israeli Army’s Statement: The Israeli army stated that it fired at suspects who threw explosives at them during the operation, without specifically mentioning the boys.
- Killing of Two Militants: In the same operation, the Israeli military reported killing two Islamic Jihad militants, Mohammed Zubeidi and Hussam Hanun.
- Background of the Militants: Zubeidi was involved in previous attacks, including one that killed an Israeli settler.
- Details of Militants’ Deaths: The militants were killed after being surrounded in a building by Israeli forces, who also found weapons and ammunition.
- Surge in West Bank Violence: The violence in the West Bank has escalated since the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7, with over 200 Palestinians killed and increased attacks by Jewish settlers.
- Palestinian Arrests: Israeli forces have arrested over 2,000 Palestinians in the West Bank since the conflict’s onset, with 1,100 reportedly affiliated with Hamas.
The Associated Press has the story:
Israel kills 2 Palestinian boys, at age 8 and 15, in West Bank raid
Newslooks- JERUSALEM (AP)
Two Palestinian boys, including an 8-year-old, were killed by Israeli fire Wednesday during a military raid in the West Bank town of Jenin, Palestinian health officials said. Two militants were also killed, the army said.
The circumstances of the shooting of the boys were unclear. Security camera footage showed what appear to be children gathered on a street. The children run away, while one boy remains standing until he falls to the ground and another appears to disappear next to a car. Health officials identified the boys as Adam Samer al-Ghoul, 8, and Basil Suleiman Abu al-Wafa, 15.
The video could not be independently verified. In a statement, the army said troops opened fire at suspects in the area who hurled explosives at them. “Hits were identified,” it said. The children in the video are not seen throwing objects, and the army did not say whether the young boys were suspected of throwing explosives.
Separately, the military said it had killed two wanted militants. They were identified as Mohammed Zubeidi, a senior Islamic Jihad operative, and Hussam Hanun, another Islamic Jihad operative.
Zubeidi was wanted in two shootings in the West Bank last May, including an attack that killed an Israeli settler.
The two militants were killed after Israeli soldiers surrounded them in a building, the army said. Israeli forces found weapons and ammunition during the raid, it added.
Violence in the West Bank has surged in the weeks since the Israel-Hamas war erupted on Oct. 7. Israeli forces have killed over 200 Palestinians and Jewish West Bank settlers have also stepped up attacks.
Since the beginning of the war, Israeli forces have arrested over 2,000 Palestinians in the West Bank, of which they said 1,100 are affiliated with Hamas.
