Israeli forces fatally shot two Palestinian teenagers on the outskirts of Jerusalem, the Palestinian Authority reported Friday. The victims, 18-year-old Amr Khaled Ahmed Al-Marbou and 16-year-old Sami Ibrahim Sami Mashayekh, were killed in the town of Kufr Aqab.
The Palestinian health ministry described the deaths as a result of “occupation forces gunfire.” Israeli police said they opened fire on individuals who posed an immediate threat during clashes involving dozens of people throwing rocks and fireworks.
The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed that both teenagers were transported to a hospital during the night with gunshot wounds. Several hundred people, mostly young men, attended their funeral processions. The deceased were draped in Palestinian flags and covered with traditional black-and-white keffiyehs as prayers were recited by relatives.
Witnesses described the shootings as sudden and violent. Oday al-Shurfa, a friend of Marbou, said the teenager was standing still and not involved in any stone-throwing when he was shot in the chest. A relative confirmed that one other individual in the group was killed, another remains in critical condition, and a third suffered a serious hand injury.
In a separate incident, the Palestinian Authority reported the death of 24-year-old Younis Walid Mohammed Ashtiyeh in the town of Tal, southwest of Nablus. Palestinian media identified him as a police officer. Israeli border police later stated that he was an operative who had fired at and injured a reserve combat soldier during operational activity.
A joint statement from Israeli border police, the military, and Shin Bet said the police officer was involved in the attack, and additional suspects were arrested.
AFP photographers observed burned-out cars in Huwara and a home set on fire in Ammuriya. Residents blamed settlers for the fires.
Kufr Aqab is part of East Jerusalem, separated from the city by a barrier. It receives limited municipal services due to the barrier and its location within the West Bank. Violence in the region has increased sharply since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, sparking ongoing clashes across the West Bank.
The incidents underscore the continuing tensions between Israeli forces and Palestinians, including civilians and security personnel.
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