The deaths in al-Mughayyir come amid a recent surge in settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
Incident Overview
Funerals have taken place for two Palestinian teenagers who local officials say were killed by Israeli settlers and soldiers during an attack on their village in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday. The village council in al-Mughayyir reported that Omar al-Nassan, 19, and Khalil Abu Alia, 16, were killed while attempting to stop Israeli settlers from stealing sheep, which led to confrontations.
The Israeli military stated that its forces had entered the village to provide security for an Israeli civilian and police who were trying to retrieve livestock. They claimed that their forces fired upon and struck what they termed "key instigators" of a "violent disturbance," during which Palestinians allegedly threw stones at the troops.
Context of Violence
These deaths occur amid a notable increase in settler violence in the West Bank, with the UN recording more than three attacks per day on average this year. Al-Mughayyir, located near Ramallah, has experienced repeated settler attacks. WhatsApp messages among settlers indicate intentions to force the local population to relocate.
According to UN figures, at least 81 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since the beginning of the year, with at least 23 of those deaths occurring during settler attacks. In contrast, three Israelis, including both security forces and civilians, have been killed by Palestinians in the same timeframe.
