Israeli forces kill Palestinian teen in West Bank raid near Nablus

A Palestinian teenager has been killed during an Israeli military incursion into the Askar refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, according to Palestinian medical sources and local media reports.

Deadly Raid in Refugee Camp

The incident occurred early Sunday when Israeli forces entered the camp east of Nablus, triggering confrontations with local residents. Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance and emergency services director Ameed Hassan confirmed that two youths sustained gunshot wounds during the clashes. One victim, shot in the chest with live ammunition, succumbed to his injuries, while the other, wounded in the back, was transported to a medical facility for treatment.

Expanded Military Operation

The military operation extended beyond the refugee camp to include several neighborhoods in central Nablus. Israeli troops were reported to have entered the Ras al-Ain, Al-Basha, and Old City districts, conducting searches and sparking further tensions. The raid represents part of a pattern of increased Israeli military activity throughout the northern West Bank region, which has seen regular incursions and arrests in recent months.

Context of Escalating West Bank Violence

This latest fatality occurs against a backdrop of sharply increased violence across the occupied West Bank since the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023. Palestinian health authorities document that more than 1,070 Palestinians have been killed and approximately 10,700 injured in the territory during this period. The surge in casualties stems from both military operations and attacks by Israeli settlers, creating what human rights organizations describe as a deteriorating security environment for Palestinian communities.

International Legal Context

The ongoing violence persists despite last July's significant ruling by the International Court of Justice, which declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories illegal and called for the dismantlement of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The court's advisory opinion added international legal weight to longstanding Palestinian claims against Israeli policies in the occupied territories, though implementation remains pending.

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