Israeli forces killed two Palestinians, including a 16-year-old boy, in the occupied West Bank on March 9, 2024, according to the Palestinian health ministry. This incident adds to a troubling trend, as at least 1,102 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 11,000 wounded since October 2023.
The health ministry reported that the first victim, a teenager, was shot in the town of Qabatiya, located southwest of Jenin. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene where the boy was walking when he suddenly came under fire. Israeli forces reportedly withheld his body, a practice that has drawn criticism from various human rights organizations.
In a separate incident, a 22-year-old Palestinian was killed by Israeli gunfire in the town of Silah al-Harithiya, also near Jenin. Witnesses indicated that Israeli forces conducted raids in the area, deploying heavily as tensions escalated.
Additionally, the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, reported that two Palestinians were injured by gunfire near the Nur Shams refugee camp, located east of Tulkarem, and in the town of Al-Ram, north of Jerusalem.
The ongoing violence in the region has provoked widespread concern and condemnation. Since October 2023, Israeli forces have killed over 1,100 Palestinians, wounded nearly 11,000, and detained around 21,000. This escalation has prompted calls for international intervention and scrutiny of Israel’s military actions.
In a landmark opinion issued in July 2023, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal and urged the evacuation of all settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. The court’s ruling highlights the ongoing international debate over the rights and conditions of Palestinians living under occupation.
The situation remains tense, with daily reports of violence and casualties. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, advocating for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
