Israeli Forces Kill 14-Year-Old Palestinian American in West Bank
Near Turmus Aya in the West Bank, Israeli forces fatally shot Amer Rabee, a 14-year-old Palestinian American from New Jersey, on April 6. The location was near a highway, amidst olive and almond trees.
Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
The Israeli military asserts that Amer and his friends were hurling rocks towards the highway, posing a threat to civilians. They labeled the boys as "terrorists" and stated they had "eliminated" one and shot the others.
However, Amer's family and one of the surviving boys vehemently deny these accusations, claiming they were merely picking almonds at the time.
Details of the Shooting
Photographs shared by Amer's family reveal that he sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body.
Rising Tensions in the West Bank
This incident has further intensified allegations of excessive force used by the Israeli military. It occurs against a backdrop of escalating violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, marked by intensified military raids and increased settler violence.
According to the family, Amer's naked and bullet-ridden body was returned to them in a blue body bag several hours after the incident.
