Violence Erupts in West Bank as Israeli Search for Missing Teen Turns Deadly
RAMALLAH — Chaos and violence unfolded in the occupied West Bank as Israeli forces scoured the area for a missing teenage boy. A Palestinian man lost his life, and 25 others were injured during clashes with Jewish settlers in the village of al-Mughayyir near Ramallah.
Israeli troops were forced to intervene as dozens of armed settlers stormed the village, armed with guns and stones. The situation eventually calmed down, but tensions remain high in the region as the search for missing 14-year-old Benjamin Ahimeir continues.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces also fatally shot two Palestinians in separate incidents in the West Bank. One of the deceased was identified by Hamas as a local commander of the group. The Israeli military reported that Mohammed Daraghmeh was killed in a shootout with their troops.
Violence has been on the rise in the West Bank since the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza began on October 7th. The situation escalated following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 people, mostly civilians.
Amidst these tensions, the United States issued warnings of a potential Iranian strike against Israel, further heightening the alert levels. Iran has vowed to retaliate for a recent airstrike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria, which claimed the lives of several senior Iranian military officials.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that at least eight of the injured individuals in al-Mughayyir were hit by live ammunition. The circumstances surrounding the death of 26-year-old Jehad Abu Alia, who was fatally shot, are still unclear.
As the search for the missing Israeli boy continues, Israeli forces have set up roadblocks in the area and are actively pursuing leads. The boy’s sister, Hannah, revealed that he was familiar with the region and often tended to sheep there.
According to the Palestinian health ministry, over 460 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since October 7th. In the same period, Israeli sources have reported the deaths of at least 13 Israelis at the hands of Palestinians.
The recent surge in violence has prompted the US, UK, and France to impose sanctions on certain settlers for the first time. However, the casualties in the West Bank pale in comparison to the devastating toll of the Gaza conflict, where over 33,600 individuals, mostly civilians, have lost their lives.
On October 7th, gunmen also took over 250 people hostage, with at least 34 confirmed dead among the 130 hostages still in Gaza. The situation remains volatile and unpredictable in the region. — BBC
