Palestinian-American Teen Killed By Israeli Forces In West Bank Incident

 

A 14-year-old Palestinian-American boy was shot and killed by Israeli forces on Sunday night in the West Bank village of Turmusaya, according to Palestinian officials. Two other Palestinian-American teenagers, aged 14 and 15, were also injured in the same incident.

Ramallah Governor Laila Ghannam confirmed the fatality, while Turmusaya’s mayor, Lafi Shalabi, said the injured teens were taken to a hospital in Ramallah. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported both boys were shot in the abdomen — one severely wounded, the other sustaining minor injuries.

The Israeli military claimed the shooting occurred during a counterterrorism operation after soldiers saw three individuals “hurling rocks toward the highway, thus endangering civilians driving.” In response, the troops opened fire, killing one and injuring the others. A grainy video released by the military appears to show three figures, one of whom seems to throw an object.

The Israeli military said it would continue operations in the West Bank to “protect residents in the area.”

The timing of the fatal shooting coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrival in the United States for talks with President Donald Trump. A U.S. State Department spokesperson later confirmed the death of a U.S. citizen and extended condolences to the family, stating the incident occurred “during a counter-terrorism operation” and is under Israeli military investigation.

The death reignites long-standing concerns over the treatment of American citizens in the occupied Palestinian territories and the lack of accountability for their killings.

In 2003, American peace activist Rachel Corrie was crushed by an Israeli bulldozer in Gaza; a court later ruled her death accidental. In 2022, Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was fatally shot while reporting in the West Bank. Investigations, including one by CNN, suggested she was deliberately targeted despite clearly identifying as press. Israel refused to cooperate with a U.S. probe into her death.

In early 2023, two more Palestinian-American teens were killed by Israeli forces. Mohammed Khdour, 17, was shot in the head while sitting in a car during a study break. Weeks earlier, 17-year-old Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, who grew up in Louisiana, was also shot in the head. Israeli authorities claimed the teen was suspected of throwing stones, a claim his family disputes. Both cases remain under investigation, with limited transparency.

Since the end of a recent Gaza ceasefire, Israeli military operations in the West Bank have intensified significantly. The expanded campaign, launched in late January, has led to the displacement of roughly 40,000 Palestinians. While Israel says it is targeting militants responsible for attacks on soldiers and civilians, Palestinian leaders and human rights groups argue that the campaign has increasingly targeted civilians and vital infrastructure, raising accusations of collective punishment.

In a striking escalation, Israel deployed tanks to the West Bank in late February — the first time in 20 years.