Israeli Forces Kill Two Palestinians in West Bank Incidents

On December 20, 2025, Israeli forces shot and killed two Palestinians in separate incidents in the West Bank. The Palestinian Ministry of Health identified the victims as 16-year-old Rayyan Mohammed Abdel Qader Abu Mualla, killed in Qabatiya, and 22-year-old Ahmad Zayoud, shot in Silat al-Harithiya, near Jenin. Witnesses reported that Israeli troops opened fire directly at Abdel Qader, blocking emergency crews from reaching him, which led to his death from injuries sustained. The Israeli military claimed that both individuals had attacked their forces, with Abdel Qader allegedly throwing a brick and Zayoud an explosive device. No Israeli soldiers were reported injured in either incident.

The violence in the West Bank has escalated since the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023, which began after Hamas militants killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted numerous operations in the West Bank, describing them as counter-terrorism measures targeting individuals linked to Palestinian armed groups. Reports indicate that violence has surged, with over 752 incidents of nationalist crime and settler violence recorded in 2025 alone.

The Palestinian Authority condemned the killings, emphasizing the ongoing suffering of families affected by such violence. The IDF maintained that their actions were justified, asserting that both victims had engaged in hostile actions against soldiers. The Israeli military's narrative has faced scrutiny, particularly as surveillance footage appeared to contradict claims that Abdel Qader had attacked the troops.

Human rights organizations have criticized Israeli actions in the West Bank, labeling them as violations of international law. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes. Critics argue that the Israeli military's operations contribute to a cycle of violence and exacerbate tensions in the region.

There are discrepancies between the narratives provided by the IDF and eyewitness accounts. While the IDF claims both victims attacked soldiers, local witnesses and surveillance footage suggest otherwise, raising questions about the justification for the lethal force used. Additionally, the withholding of the victims' bodies by Israeli forces has drawn condemnation from Palestinian authorities.

The recent killings have occurred amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the situation in Gaza, where a ceasefire agreement is under threat due to continued violence. International mediators, including representatives from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, are working to advance the second phase of the ceasefire, which aims to establish a more permanent peace in the region.

• “It’s really part of the pain that the families have to endure, seeing videos like that showing how little regard the Israeli army has for Palestinian lives,” — Nida Ibrahim, Al Jazeera Reporter

• “This is not a truce, it is a bloodbath,” — Nafiz al-Nader, Eyewitness

The situation remains tense as both sides navigate the complexities of ongoing conflict and international scrutiny.