A Palestinian teenager was shot dead by the Israeli forces during a raid in the Dheishe refugee camp near Bethlehem in the West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported.
Arkan Thaer Mizhar, 15, was killed on Monday morning, while the Israeli soldiers were looking for alleged suspects of launching “terrorist activities” against Israelis. Two other Palestinians were wounded while dozens were arrested, according to the Palestine news agency WAFA.
Palestine’s Health Ministry reported that Mizhar died of a chest wound, while WAFA reported that the Israeli soldiers used live ammunition during the raid against residents.
Separately, another Palestinian, Magd Suhail, who was wounded during marches of “Right of Return” two months ago, died on Tuesday from sustained injuries, according to the Health Ministry.
Recent weeks have seen the heaviest flare-ups between Israel and Gaza factions. A ceasefire was reached last week, brokered by Egypt and the United Nations; however, the violence continued.
As a result, Israel announced almost a week ago to shut down the only goods crossing, the Kerem crossing, preventing fuel and gas from transferring.
However, Israel’s Defence Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that it will partially reopen the crossing, noting that the full returning of the crossing activities is conditioned to Hamas’s commitment to a complete cessation of the firing of kites carrying firebombs.
On Monday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein expressed his concerns over continued violence between Israel and Gaza factions. Al Hussein said in a statement that despite reaching an agreement of a ceasefire, “the situation remains extremely fragile,” adding, “I urge the parties and all those with influence to do their utmost to avoid another round of violence and misery.”
Since the end of March, violence increased at Gaza borders after Israeli forces killed more than 120 Palestinians, wounding at least 4,000, including women and children, as thousands of Palestinians demonstrated demanding the right of return, lifting the blockade imposed by Israel after Hamas seized power of Gaza in 2007, and protesting the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
