Two Palestinians killed by IDF fire in the Ramallah area: "Threw blocks and stones"
The IDF stated that forces entered the village of Al-Mughayyir to secure the return of animals located there belonging to Israelis, and that during their exit, a disturbance developed during which fire was opened at "main instigators." Palestinians claim that the two, aged 16 and 19, were killed during a confrontation with settlers. The circumstances of the incident are being investigated.
Two Palestinians, aged 16 and 19, were killed yesterday, Wednesday, by IDF fire in the village of Al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah. This was reported by the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
The IDF stated that the fire was carried out during a "violent disturbance" in which blocks and stones were thrown at the forces, and that the soldiers fired at "main instigators to remove the threat." It was further stated that the events leading up to the incident and the manner in which it was managed are being investigated.
According to the IDF statement, the forces secured the entry into the village of Judea and Samaria District police officers and an Israeli citizen, for the purpose of returning animals belonging to Israeli citizens that were located in the village area. The army noted that the animals were identified by markings indicating they belonged to Israelis.
"During the forces' activity, a violent disturbance developed in the area, during which terrorists threw blocks and stones at the force. The force responded with fire at main instigators to remove the threat. Hits were identified," it was stated.
The incident during which the fire was carried out occurred about an hour and a half after a separate confrontation in the village, during which settlers arrived at the location after two sheep belonging to them were poisoned. Stone-throwing at the Israelis developed at the scene, followed by mutual stone-throwing between the sides. A military force that arrived at the point dispersed those involved.
About an hour and a half later, security forces entered the village as part of the operation to return a herd that had been stolen recently. During the forces' exit from the village, a disturbance developed, during which stones were thrown at them, and the force responded with fire. As a result of the fire, the two Palestinians were killed and another person was seriously injured. We emphasize that the earlier confrontation with the settlers and the activity during which the fire occurred were two separate events.
On the other hand, the Palestinians presented a different version of the sequence of events. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that the two deceased are Omar Naasan and Khalil Abu Alia, and the head of the Al-Mughayyir council claimed in a conversation with the Palestinian news agency "WAFA" that the shooting occurred during an attack by settlers on the village, which he said were accompanied by IDF forces. He claimed settlers and IDF forces entered the center of the village, attacked two houses and took sheep, and when residents tried to prevent this - live fire was opened at them. He also claimed that IDF snipers positioned themselves on buildings in the area.
