Palestinian boy killed by Israeli army gunfire in West Bank

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – A Palestinian boy has been killed and several others injured by Israeli army gunfire in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah.

Mustafa Abu Shalbak,16, succumbed to his injuries after being shot by occupation forces in the neck and chest, the Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement.

The boy, who was from the Qalandia refugee camp north of Ramallah, was severely injured by the Israeli army near the Amari refugee camp in the city, and could not survive.

The witnesses also reported that at least three other young Palestinians were injured during the clashes.

Israeli forces raided the Amari camp early Monday, confiscated a vehicle, and raided several homes amid confrontations with dozens of Palestinians, the witnesses added.

The Israeli army also raided the city of Tubas in the northern West Bank, injured two Palestinians, and arrested three others, local sources said.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a statement that its teams in Tubas provided medical treatment to the injured. One of the injured victims was shot in the thigh and another victim was a girl with special needs who was subjected to assault.

Sources also reported that the Israeli forces detained three Palestinians before withdrawing.

Tensions have been high across the West Bank since October 7. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 420 Palestinians have been killed and 4,650 others injured in the West Bank.

In parallel, Israel is waging a devastating war on the Gaza Strip and has killed at least 30,534 Palestinians, most of them children and women, there.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

However, Israel has continued to disregard the ICJ ruling.