Full Breakdown
Palestinian Teen Killed in Nablus Raid as West Bank Violence Escalates
4/25/2026, 11:08:31 AM
Nablus Raid Leaves Palestinian Teen Dead
On Thursday Israeli troops shot 15-year-old Youssef Sameh Shtayyeh (also reported as Yousef Ashtiyeh) in the shoulder as he left Nablus’s Rafidia district. He died in hospital. An Israeli vehicle on Route 60 wounded a 5-year-old boy, and a car-ramming attempt on troops in Burqa caused no injuries.
Spike in West Bank Violence
The Nablus killing follows two other Palestinian teenagers killed in Hebron and al-Mughayyir, raising the weekly death toll to three. The Palestinian Health Ministry says 16 Palestinians have died in settler attacks this year, from a 13-year-old child to a 60-year-old adult. OCHA logged 1,819 attacks in March, 1,322 by Israeli forces and 497 by settlers.
Israeli Military Account
The IDF said troops met stone-throwing during a Nablus raid, began a suspect arrest, and opened fire when the suspect kept threatening. Security cordon was placed around Madama, and forces pursued those linked to the Burqa car-ramming attempt.
Human-Rights Opposition
Officials said the teen was unarmed and returning from school, questioning lethal force. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese called the incident “ordinary terror” and accused Israeli forces of shielding settlers. Allegra Pacheco warned that impunity fuels ongoing settler aggression.
Casualties and Attack Data
Three Palestinian teenagers were killed this week; 16 Palestinians died in settler attacks this year; OCHA logged 1,819 attacks in March—1,322 by Israeli forces, 497 by settlers; one Israeli child was injured; a car-ramming attempt caused no injuries.
Divergent Accounts
Sources differ on the teen’s name (Youssef Sameh Shtayyeh vs. Yousef Ashtiyeh) and on whether he posed a threat. The IDF calls him a “terrorist” who threw stones; Palestinian officials describe him as a school-going youth with no evident danger. IDF confirmed a fatality but gave no independent verification.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We don’t know why they shot this kid on their way out,” — Abood al-Aker, communications director, Nablus municipality.
- “No one is putting the pressure on Israel or on the Israeli authorities to stop this and so the settlers feel it, they feel the complete impunity that they’re just free to continue to do this,” — Allegra Pacheco, director, West Bank Protection Consortium.
- “settlers and the army are one and the same,” — Leila Ghannam, mayor of Ramallah.
Outlook for International Action
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the EU may sanction Israelis linked to settler violence, but a Hungarian veto blocks the move. The veto could be lifted under incoming Prime Minister Peter Magyar, potentially allowing sanctions soon. Israeli security operations, including cordons and pursuits, remain active.
