West Bank: Israeli Forces Kill Two Palestinian Teens; Gaza Attacks Persist, Journalists Targeted, Health System Collapses

Escalating Violence in West Bank Claims Lives of Two Palestinian Teenagers

Recent events in the occupied West Bank have seen Israeli forces fatally shoot two Palestinian teenagers in separate incidents in Hebron and Ramallah. The Israeli army alleged 17-year-old Muhannad al-Zughair was killed in Hebron following a ramming attack that injured two soldiers. However, Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, reporting from Ramallah, highlighted a critical lack of investigation into the incident. Odeh reported that al-Zughair was injured, fled, and was subsequently found and killed inside a vehicle, with his body later withheld by Israeli forces—a procedure she described as standard practice.

In the northern Ramallah area, 18-year-old Muhammad Asmar also died near Umm Safa village. According to Odeh, Asmar, the alleged assailant, was shot while on the ground after being apprehended by soldiers and was left to bleed for hours. The Israeli army confirmed killing a Palestinian who allegedly stabbed soldiers near a settlement, with two Israelis sustaining light wounds, as reported by Magen David Adom. Hamas lauded these actions as "heroic stabbing operations," asserting they were a natural response to the Israeli occupation’s crimes and a clear message against attempts to suppress the will of the Palestinian people through military actions, daily killings, and arrests.

Raids, Demolitions, and Settler Violence Continue Across West Bank

Beyond these tragic killings, Israeli forces have continued extensive raids across the occupied West Bank, storming areas near three Hebron hospitals and demolishing two apartments in al-Walaja village, west of Bethlehem. Concurrently, Israeli settlers engaged in violent acts in Burqa village northwest of Nablus, setting a tractor ablaze, attempting to torch another vehicle, and defacing a home with graffiti. These settlements remain illegal under international law, a position reinforced by the International Court of Justice, which last year declared Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territory unlawful and demanded its cessation.

Gaza Conflict: Journalists Targeted, Healthcare System Nears Collapse

The conflict's shadow extends heavily over Gaza, where an Israeli drone strike in central Khan Younis claimed the life of Palestinian photojournalist Mahmoud Wadi. Muhammad Abdel Fattah Aslih, another journalist, was wounded in the same attack, marking a tragic repetition for his family, as his brother, Hassan Aslih, also a photographer, was killed in a May drone strike. With over 260 media workers killed in Gaza since October 2023, this conflict stands as the deadliest on record for journalists.

Mounting Casualties and Ceasefire Violations

Since October 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in immense casualties, with at least 70,100 Palestinians killed and 170,965 wounded. In contrast, 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7 attacks, and approximately 200 were taken captive. Despite a ceasefire initiated on October 10, Israeli attacks have persisted, leading to the deaths of over 356 Palestinians during this period. The Israeli Prime Minister’s office announced the reception of "findings" via the Red Cross, potentially the remains of two captives, which will undergo forensic identification. Hamas had agreed to return captive bodies as part of the ceasefire but cited widespread destruction in Gaza as a hindrance to recovery efforts.

Gaza's Healthcare System on the Brink

Gaza’s healthcare system teeters on the brink of collapse, facing critical shortages of vital medicines and equipment. The UN has labeled the situation "catastrophic," with less than half of Gaza’s hospitals and just over a third of its clinics barely functioning. Facilities like Al-Ahli Hospital are treating more than triple their intended patient capacity, while al-Shifa, Nasser, and al-Rantisi hospitals are similarly overwhelmed. Over 50% of essential medicines and two-thirds of medical supplies are unavailable. Monitoring groups report approximately 1,000 healthcare workers killed since the war began, and at least 25 medical staff from Gaza are currently detained in Israeli prisons without charge.