Judeira: The Israeli military announced on Friday that it had killed two teenagers accused of throwing Molotov cocktails in the occupied West Bank village of Judeira overnight. The incident took place as tensions in the region continue to escalate.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Palestinian health ministry identified the deceased as Mohammed Ateem and Mohammed Qasim, both 16 years old. The Israeli military claimed that the teenagers were involved in an attack on a main civilian route. “Last night… two terrorists were identified as they ignited and threw Molotov cocktails toward a main civilian route,” the military stated. The individuals were “eliminated” by the military unit deployed in the area, a term typically used by Israeli officials when suspects are killed.
The military released surveillance footage purportedly showing two individuals hurling a flaming object over a wall. The wall separates Judeira from a road predominantly used by Israelis. Judeira, though situated in the West Bank, is surrounded by lands and roads effectively annexed by Israel since the 1967 occupation.
The bodies of the teenagers were retrieved by the Israeli army, according to a statement from the Palestinian health ministry. This incident follows the killing of another teenager on Wednesday, who was accused by the Israeli military of throwing an explosive device at troops.
The military reported on Friday that three militants have been killed and 60 “wanted individuals” arrested in the West Bank this week. Violence has surged in the region since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023. Official figures indicate that at least 1,001 Palestinians, including militants, have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since the conflict began. In the same period, 43 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks in the area.