Israeli forces kill Palestinian teenager in West Bank raid

A Palestinian teenager has been killed by Israeli forces during a late-night military raid in the occupied West Bank town of Silwad. The 15-year-old, identified as Yamen Samed Hamed, was shot amid clashes that erupted when troops entered the town near Ramallah and deployed live fire, tear gas, and stun grenades, according to local sources cited by the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Impeded Medical Access

Local sources reported that Israeli forces initially blocked a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance from reaching the wounded boy to provide medical treatment. The critically injured teenager was left on the ground for a period before personnel were finally permitted to evacuate him. He was subsequently transported to the Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah, where medical officials confirmed his death.

Escalating West Bank Violence

This fatal shooting occurs against a backdrop of significantly intensified Israeli military operations and settler violence across the West Bank since October 2023. Palestinian authorities report that more than 1,062 Palestinians have been killed and approximately 10,300 injured in the occupied territory during this period, marking one of the most violent phases in recent years.

International Legal Context

The ongoing conflict and Israel's settlement policy in the West Bank have been subject to international legal scrutiny. In a significant ruling last July, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion declaring Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories illegal. The United Nations' highest court called for the evacuation of all Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, highlighting the unresolved status of the territories under international law.