Israeli Settlers Kill Palestinians in West Bank Violence

Violence erupted in the occupied West Bank as armed Israeli settlers killed two Palestinians, adding to the toll of eight Palestinian deaths since Friday. The escalation began with Israeli forces killing a Palestinian teen during a military raid in Nablus. Eyewitnesses reported a settler attack in Aqraba, where around 50 armed settlers targeted Palestinian youth, resulting in two deaths and several injuries. Shockingly, Israeli soldiers present did not intervene, allowing the violence to unfold.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society faced obstacles in reaching the wounded as soldiers blocked ambulances. In a separate incident, Israeli forces raided Nablus, resulting in the death of 17-year-old Yazan Ishtayeh. Israeli authorities claimed the operation aimed to arrest a suspect, with clashes erupting and leading to fatal consequences.

Over the weekend, armed Jewish settlers rampaged through Palestinian villages near Ramallah, setting fires and attacking civilians. The unrest followed the discovery of a missing 14-year-old Israeli's body in the West Bank, sparking further tensions. The U.S. State Department condemned the killing of the Israeli teen and expressed concerns over escalating violence against Palestinians.

The situation worsened with increased Israeli military raids, settler violence, and Palestinian retaliatory attacks. The West Bank has witnessed over 466 Palestinian deaths at the hands of Israeli forces or settlers, alongside 13 Israeli fatalities, including security personnel. The longstanding conflict revolves around Palestinian aspirations for statehood in territories occupied by Israel since 1967, with international disputes over the legality of Israeli settlements on occupied land.