Palestinians say Israeli army killed 2 teenagers in West Bank

RAMALLAH: Israeli forces killed two Palestinian teenagers in the West Bank village of Al-Mughayyir on Wednesday night, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The two victims, 19-year-old Omar Mohammad Naji al-Nassan and 16-year-old Khalil Rasem Khalil Shahada, were shot dead during a violent confrontation with settlers who attempted to steal their sheep, the ministry reported.

The Israeli army stated that it opened fire during a riot sparked by the settlers' actions. The village council head, Amin Abu Alia, stated that the army imposed a siege on the village and placed snipers inside buildings before raiding the center. The Israeli army claimed they had secured the village entrance to facilitate the return of livestock belonging to Israeli civilians.

Palestinian sources reported that the teenagers were critically wounded by live fire during the clashes and later died in Ramallah hospitals. The West Bank has experienced a surge in violence since the beginning of the war in Gaza following Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel. Palestinian sources have documented at least 1,105 Palestinian deaths, including militants, while Israeli officials reported at least 48 casualties, including both civilians and security forces, in West Bank attacks.