Israeli Forces Kill Two Palestinian Teenagers in Jerusalem

Israeli forces fatally shot two Palestinian teenagers on the outskirts of Jerusalem, the Palestinian Authority said Friday. The victims were Amr Khaled Ahmed Al-Marbou, 18, and Sami Ibrahim Sami Mashayekh, 16. Both were killed in Kufr Aqab, a town in east Jerusalem. The Palestinian health ministry called it a martyrdom. Israeli police said they fired at individuals posing an immediate threat during clashes.

Israeli authorities said dozens of Palestinians threw rocks and fireworks during the overnight clashes. They targeted four individuals allegedly threatening Israeli personnel. The Palestinian Red Crescent said it transported two wounded people to a hospital. Witnesses described the teenagers as not actively participating in the violence. Friends and relatives said Marbou was shot in the chest and died instantly.

Hundreds attended the funeral processions on Friday, draping the bodies in Palestinian flags and covering heads with keffiyehs. Mourners clapped and chanted during prayers around the bodies. Relatives recounted that other friends were also injured or killed in the same incident. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and tragic. The killings have sparked anger and calls for justice in the local community.

Later, the Palestinian Authority said Israeli forces killed Younis Walid Mohammed Ashtiyeh, 24, a Palestinian police officer, in Tal, southwest of Nablus. Israeli border police said he had fired at a soldier the previous day. They described him as a terrorist and said others were arrested. Palestinian media identified him as part of local law enforcement. The killings reflect rising tensions across the West Bank.

Violence in the West Bank has surged since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. Residents also reported fires set by settlers in Huwara and Ammuriya. Kufr Aqab remains isolated by the Israeli barrier and receives limited services. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. Tensions remain high as both sides continue violent clashes and security operations.

READ MORE : Israel Intensifies Airstrikes in Gaza and Lebanon

Israeli forces carried out fresh airstrikes in Gaza and Lebanon on Wednesday, killing at least 25 Palestinians. The strikes hit areas in Gaza under Hamas control, including Zeitoun, Shejaia, and Khan Younis, despite a shaky ceasefire in place since October. Health authorities reported that 10 people were killed in Zeitoun, and the rest in separate attacks across the region. Medics said the targets were mostly civilian areas, including a building used by Muslim religious authorities and a U.N.-run club housing displaced families.

The Israeli military said it struck Hamas targets after Palestinians fired at Israeli troops, violating the nearly six-week-old ceasefire. The ceasefire has shown signs of fragility, with repeated shooting incidents pointing to its collapse. Both Israel and Hamas blame each other for violations of the truce, which was brokered by the U.S. as part of a broader peace plan. The violence highlights the ongoing tensions and instability in Gaza, despite efforts to bring peace.