Israel kills two Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem as war on Gaza enters fifth day

Two Palestinian men were shot and killed in occupied East Jerusalem by the Israeli police late Tuesday night, 10 October, as protests erupted in various parts of the city over Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip.  

Abdel Rahman Faraj, 18, and Ali Abbasi, 24, were killed during clashes in Silwan near the Old City. 

Locals say the police prevented relatives and first responders from providing the two young men first aid. 

Israel's interior minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, praised the killings. 

According to the Israeli police, the pair allegedly utilised firecrackers towards its members, injuring one officer. Currently, the police have retained the bodies of the two young men. 

Clashes were also reported in Al-Tur and Issawiye, both Palestinian neighbourhoods in occupied East Jerusalem.

Since October 7, the commencement of the "Al-Aqsa flood" operation initiated by Hamas, at least 900 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip and an additional 24 were killed in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. At least 1,200 Israelis died during the same period. 

The war entered its fifth day on Wednesday amid increasing signs that Israel is preparing to launch a ground offensive against the Gaza Strip.  

The Israeli army claims it killed at least 1,000 militants who have infiltrated from Gaza since Saturday. 

"We have gained control of the area and are now moving on to a full-scale response", Israel's minister of defence Yoav Gallant said. 

The Israeli military has reported that a minimum of 165 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the fighting with Palestinian fighters since Saturday, 7 October.