SEBASTIA, West Financial institution — Israeli forces on Saturday shot and killed a Palestinian in disputed circumstances within the northern a part of the occupied West Financial institution — the most recent in an ongoing surge of violence that has gripped the area.
The Israeli military stated in a press release that two Palestinian males tried to drive a automobile into troopers at Sebastia close to town of Nablus round midnight. Troopers opened fireplace, killing one and wounding the opposite man, the military stated.
The Palestinian Ministry of Well being recognized the younger man who was killed as Fawzi Makhalfeh, 18. Palestinian media quoted the victims’ household as saying the 2 didn’t goal troopers however that they have been ambushed whereas driving and that their automobile was riddled with bullets.
The mayor of Sebastia, Mohammad Azem, stated he was one of many first to reach on the scene. He described a scene of bloody carnage, with greater than fifty bullet holes within the chassis. “He was a college pupil,” Azem stated, “it was simply so brutal.”
Sebastia resident Mohammad al-Shaar stated he heard the capturing and rushed to the scene to seek out troopers blocking the street. Talking subsequent to the ruined automobile, he pointed to blood stains and home windows punctured by dozens of bullet holes.
A whole lot attended the funeral ceremony in Sebastia on Saturday. Makhalfeh’s father helped carry his son’s physique which was lined with the Palestinian flag whereas his head was wrapped in a keffiyeh. He instructed native media his son hoped to get married quickly.
Makhalfeh had simply handed his highschool exams and was in good spirits earlier than the capturing, in keeping with native experiences.
The capturing got here hours after a 17-year-old Palestinian was killed by Israeli fireplace elsewhere within the West Financial institution.
The spiral of violence, which exhibits no indicators of abating, is likely one of the worst between Israelis and Palestinians in years. Greater than 150 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fireplace because the begin of 2023 within the West Financial institution and east Jerusalem, in keeping with a tally by The Related Press.
Violence between Israel and the Palestinians within the West Financial institution intensified early final 12 months when Israel expanded near-nightly raids into Palestinian areas in response to a spate of Palestinian assaults towards Israelis.
Israel says most of these killed have been militants, however stone-throwing youths protesting military raids and others not concerned within the confrontations have additionally been killed.
Israel captured the West Financial institution within the 1967 Mideast warfare, together with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Palestinians search these territories for his or her hoped-for impartial state.
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McNeil reported from Jerusalem.