Full Breakdown
Killing of Two Palestinian Teenagers Near Karmei Tzur Settlement
6/23/2026, 1:34:57 AM
Incident Overview
On 22 June 2026 Israeli soldiers of Unit 636 opened fire on a group near the illegal West Bank settlement of Karmei Tzur, north of Hebron. The Israeli army said the group was throwing Molotov cocktails, fire-bombs and burning tyres toward the settlement. Two Palestinians—Reda Sami Awad, 15, and Issa Arafat Ismail Awad, 19—were killed; a third individual was wounded and later hospitalized in stable condition. Israeli forces also shot two additional young men, who were taken to a hospital with stable injuries.
Historical and Regional Context
Karmei Tzur is built on land claimed by the Palestinian town of Beit Ummar. Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are deemed illegal under international law by United Nations bodies, though Israel disputes this characterization. Since the Gaza war began in October 2023, the West Bank has experienced a marked increase in Israeli raids, settler attacks, and Palestinian resistance.
Casualty Data Since 2023 and 2026
- The Shireen Observatory recorded 70 Palestinians killed in the West Bank since the start of 2026, including 17 children and 5 women.
- UN data cited 57 Palestinian deaths in the West Bank in 2026.
- Palestinian health figures note 1,082 Palestinians killed across the occupied territories since October 2023; an AFP tally puts the number at 1,082, while Palestinian authorities claim 1,169 deaths.
- Israeli official tallies list 46 Israeli deaths (civilians and soldiers) in the same period.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Israeli army described the operation as a “counter-terrorism” action, stating that “no injuries were reported among Israeli forces.” It added that firefighting crews extinguished a blaze near the settlement and that search operations continued for additional suspects.
- The Palestinian General Authority of Civil Affairs confirmed that Israeli authorities are holding the bodies of the two teenagers.
- Hamas issued a statement condemning the killings as part of “Israel’s policy of systematic killing” in the occupied West Bank.
Criticism & Opposition
Human-rights monitors and UN officials have highlighted a surge in settler-related violence, noting an average of six attacks daily. Palestinian officials and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) criticized Israeli troops for preventing ambulance crews from reaching the victims and for withholding the bodies, actions they described as violations of humanitarian law.
On-the-Ground Reports
According to the PRCS, medics arrived near the Al-Arroub refugee camp, provided first aid, and performed CPR on a critically injured man shot by soldiers. WAFA reported that Israeli forces left the two teenagers bleeding on the ground before confiscating their bodies.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Reuters could not independently verify the Israeli claim that the teenagers threw fire-bombs.
- Casualty figures for 2026 differ between the Shireen Observatory (70 deaths) and UN data (57 deaths).
- No Palestinian official comment was issued immediately after the incident, leaving gaps in the Palestinian narrative.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Israeli forces are holding their bodies,” — WAFA, Palestinian news agency
- “Israel’s policy of systematic killing” — Hamas spokesperson
- “The troops opened fire and eliminated two terrorists and neutralized another terrorist,” — Israeli Defense Forces
- “It also said no injuries were reported among Israeli forces.” — Israeli army statement
Outlook
The Israeli army announced continued searches for additional suspects in the area. Palestinian health authorities and human-rights groups have called for independent investigations into the use of lethal force and the withholding of bodies, while international bodies continue to monitor settlement-related violence in the West Bank.
