Israeli army kills two Palestinian children in occupied West Bank

According to confirmations from the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the Wafa news agency, two Palestinian children were shot and killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank. Ayman Nasser Haimouni, 12, was killed in Hebron, and Rimas Al-Amouri, 13, was shot in the Jenin Governorate. These incidents highlight the ongoing violence and its tragic impact on young lives.

Reports indicate that Ayman Haimouni was shot by Israeli forces while visiting relatives in southern Hebron and was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. Rimas Al-Amouri was struck in the abdomen by gunfire and was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to the Jenin Government Hospital. The circumstances surrounding these shootings are raising serious concerns.

Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCIP) stated that Al-Amouri was shot while standing in her family's yard in the Jenin area on Friday afternoon. Reportedly, an Israeli soldier in an armored vehicle approximately 50 meters away fired at least five shots into the yard where she was standing, hitting her in the back. Such incidents raise questions about the rules of engagement and the protection of civilians.

Ayed Abu Eqtaish of Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCIP) stated, "Both Ayman and Rimas were fatally attacked from behind by Israeli soldiers safely positioned inside armored vehicles without any warning." He further added, "Israeli forces demonstrate a chilling disregard for Palestinian children's lives, and a system of impunity ensures they will face no consequences." The lack of accountability is a major concern for human rights organizations.

These two killings occurred amidst weeks of large-scale raids by the Israeli military in the occupied West Bank, including areas such as Nablus, Tulkarem, Jenin, and their surroundings. According to local sources such as the Wafa news agency, Israeli forces also conducted raids near the Kafr Aqab community, close to occupied East Jerusalem, as well as the Amari refugee camp north of Nablus and Bireh, Jericho, Bethlehem, and the Deir Ammar refugee camp west of Ramallah. The intensity of these operations is causing widespread disruption and anxiety.

Reports indicate that a Palestinian man was taken away by Israeli forces from the town of Zawata, west of Nablus city. In Jenin, where Israeli forces have been conducting deadly raids for over a month, a man was dragged from his car and arrested. The home of a Palestinian man, who was scheduled to be released on Saturday as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, was also raided in Birzeit, north of Ramallah. The home of a detained Palestinian from the Jalazone refugee camp was also raided, and the detainee's son was arrested. These actions are further escalating tensions in the region.

Tulkarem Governor Abdullah Kmeil stated that Israel's plans to intensify military operations in Tulkarem and the surrounding occupied West Bank refugee camps demonstrate its "intentions of genocide." The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday condemned Israel's actions in Tulkarem, as well as the killings of Haimouni and Al-Amouri. "The OIC stressed that these Israeli attacks constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity," the organization said in a statement, urging the international community to take action. The international community is being called upon to address the escalating violence and hold those responsible accountable.

Since January 21, when Israel launched an offensive in the northern occupied West Bank, over 50 Palestinians have been killed, coinciding with the Gaza ceasefire agreement. A report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicates that this has caused significant damage to water and sanitation infrastructure in Palestinian communities. However, since the UN reporting period ended on Monday, several more Palestinians have been killed, including the two children on Friday evening. OCHA also documented 34 incidents of Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in its latest report. The ongoing violence and its impact on the civilian population remain a serious concern.