Palestinian Teen Killed By Israeli Army During West Bank Raid
Facts
- According to the Palestinian health ministry, the Israeli military shot and killed a teenager identified as Mahmoud Abu Sa'an during a pre-dawn raid of the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem on Thursday.1
- Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency, claimed that the 18-year-old was fatally shot in the head. Israeli media said that Abu Sa'an's death occurred during clashes with local Palestinian fighters. No armed groups claimed Abu Sa'an as a member, but the Tulkarem Battalion said it mourned his death.2
- The Israeli army has stated that during a patrol, "suspects fired and hurled explosives and stones" at soldiers, who in turn "responded with live fire."3
- Israel's army also announced that it arrested five Palestinians in other refugee camps, having confiscated explosives and dispersed protests.4
- Israel's statement also confirmed that no soldiers were injured during the raid. Hamas, which governs the embargoed Gaza Strip, said it mourned Abu Sa'an but also didn't claim him as a member.5
- The situation in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza has deteriorated in the last year as Israel — following a spree of Palestinian attacks last spring — has launched regular raids in the area. Over 150 Palestinians have been killed this year in the West Bank, and Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis have killed at least 26 people.4
Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2The Times of Israel, 3France 24, 4Associated Press, and 5The National.
Narratives
- Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. Israeli incursions like this are only meant to provoke Palestinian residents who are growing increasingly frustrated with the daily brutality of the occupation under which they live. The goal of these raids is to terrorize the Palestinian population and make sure that nowhere is safe.
- Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by The Times of Israel. Israel launches raids like this to prevent Palestinian terror attacks against Israeli civilians. The Israeli military does everything it can to avoid civilian casualties, but Israeli forces were forced to use live ammunition after being fired upon.