Israeli Settlers Kill Palestinian Teenager in West Bank as UN Warns of Annexation Push
Israeli settlers and military forces killed two Palestinians, including a 17-year-old boy, in separate incidents in the occupied West Bank on Friday as the UN warned of worsening violence and annexation efforts across the territory.
West Bank Killings on Friday
Israeli settlers shot dead 17-year-old Karim Sanad Raja Shalaldeh and wounded a 70-year-old man in Sa’ir north of Hebron after Palestinians allegedly threw rocks at Israeli civilians on an unauthorised hike. [3] The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the teenager as Karim Sanad Raja Shalaldeh. [5] The teenager’s father told the Associated Press at the hospital that Israeli settlers had killed his son. [3] The incident in the occupied West Bank village of Sa’ir followed the latest in what the Israeli military describes as unauthorised hikes by settlers who enter the outskirts of villages in what Palestinians view as an act of intimidation. [5] The Israeli military said soldiers were dispatched to Sa’ir after Palestinians threw rocks at Israeli civilians who were in the area without advanced authorisation. [3] Some Israelis were injured and a security official opened fire. [3] The shooting also wounded a 70-year-old man according to official Palestinian news agency Wafa. [3] Separately 58-year-old Fathi Khazem was fatally shot by Israeli forces during a raid in Jenin. [3] The Palestinian General Authority for Civil Affairs informed the Health Ministry that 58-year-old Fathi Khazem was fatally shot by Israeli forces during a raid early Friday in Jenin. [5] An Israeli army official speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military rules alleged that Khazem attempted to stab an Israeli soldier during an overnight operation. [3] No Israeli soldiers were injured. [3] The Israeli official said the man was the father of Raed Khazem who shot and killed three people in Tel Aviv in April 2022. [3] Raed was shot dead by Israeli forces after a massive manhunt. [3] Israeli authorities at the time demanded that Fathi hand himself in. [3] Another of Fathi’s sons Abdul Rahman Hazem was killed during an Israeli military raid targeting alleged militants in the Jenin refugee camp in September 2022. [3] Fathi Zidan Hazem 58 died from injuries sustained after being shot by Israeli forces early Friday in the city of Jenin according to the Palestinian health ministry which added that Israel was withholding his body. [5] Hazem was a retired colonel in the Palestinian National Security Forces. [5]
Rising Death Toll and Attacks
At least 87 Palestinians have been killed in almost 1,500 attacks by Israeli settlers and soldiers in the West Bank this year while three Israelis have been killed by Palestinians. [3] Violence has escalated sharply in the West Bank occupied by Israel since 1967 where at least 87 Palestinians have been killed in almost 1,500 attacks by Israeli settlers and soldiers this year according to Palestinian officials. [3] Three Israelis have been killed by Palestinians in 2026. [3] Violence has escalated in the West Bank where at least 87 Palestinians have been killed in almost 1,500 attacks by Israeli settlers and soldiers this year according to Palestinian officials. [5] The ministry identified the teenager as Karim Sanad Raja Shalaldeh in the context of the broader pattern of escalation. [5] Palestinian officials have tracked the nearly 1,500 attacks that resulted in at least 87 Palestinian deaths this year. [3]
Israeli forces and settlers killed two Palestinians including a 17-year-old boy in the occupied West Bank. — Source: anadolu
UN Warning on Violence and Annexation
The UN warned of worsening violence and a push for annexation in the West Bank with a spokesperson urging the international community to take action using all means possible. [1] The UN human rights office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan stated that the international community must take action using all means possible. [1] The warning from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted the push for annexation alongside the worsening violence. [1]
Houthi Announcement in Yemen
Houthis in Yemen announced the deaths of 12 members amid ongoing military escalation though no details were provided on timing location or circumstances. [2] Houthis announced deaths of 12 members amid military escalation in Yemen. [2] No details about when where or under what circumstances the Houthis were killed were released. [2]
International Reactions
France Germany the UK and Italy slammed Israel’s E1 West Bank settler project. [3] The US ambassador to Israel slammed settler siege of West Bank Palestinians as terror. [3] These diplomatic criticisms emerged in coverage of the broader context of settlement activity in the occupied territory. [3] The reactions addressed the escalation of settler-related actions alongside the military operations described in the West Bank incidents. [3]
What to watch next: The UN human rights office continues to call for international action using all means possible amid the documented pattern of attacks and the push for annexation in the West Bank.
