Israeli settlers fatally shoot Palestinian teen in West Bank violence

Two Palestinians were killed Friday in the West Bank, one in the north‑western city of Jenin when Israeli army gunfire struck a civilian vehicle, and another in the southern part of the territory when a settler allegedly shot a teenager in a residential area, Palestinian sources and the Israeli army confirmed.

The incidents come amid a surge of violence that has escalated since the start of the year. In Jenin, the Israeli military has carried out dozens of raids targeting alleged militant networks, leading to frequent clashes with local residents. The southern West Bank has seen a steady rise in settler‑led attacks on Palestinian families, with the Israeli government recently approving new settlement expansions that have drawn criticism from human rights groups. The two deaths underscore the daily risks faced by Palestinians in both the military‑controlled north and the settlement‑heavy south.

Palestinian officials condemned the killings as “unacceptable violence” and called for an independent investigation, while Israeli authorities said the army’s actions were aimed at neutralising threats and that the settler’s claim would be examined by the police. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has noted that 35 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since January, and over 70 have been injured in settler violence. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has urged restraint but also defended its security operations as necessary to prevent attacks.

The two deaths may heighten tensions ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s upcoming briefing on the West Bank, where member states will debate the legality of settlement expansion and the protection of civilians. Israeli courts may be asked to review the settler’s case, while the Palestinian Authority could push for a broader inquiry into the army’s conduct. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further clashes as both sides prepare for a new round of negotiations and continued military presence.