Israeli forces kill elderly Palestinian activist during brutal raid in West Bank

Israeli forces beat a well-known elderly Palestinian to death during a raid on his home in a village near the occupied West Bank city of Hebron early on Monday.

The 66-year-old, identified as Ziad Abu Hleil, was known for his peaceful protests, often captured in videos standing in the way of armed Israeli soldiers opening fire.

According to local news reports, after the storming, he was rushed to Dura Hospital, where medical staff were unable to save him, and he was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries.

Security sources announced that Israeli forces assaulted him until he had lost consciousness.

Online, social media users mourned his death and called for accountability from Israeli forces carrying out violent attacks.

"Ziad is well known among the community for his unwavering and brave dense of Al-Khalil (Hebron) and its residents during occupation raids," one person wrote.

"He was always present in Hebron during clashes, trying to protect the young men. He became famous in 2017 when the soldier told him they’re [Palestinians] throwing rocks and he replied ‘let them’" another wrote.

"The Israeli army has executed elderly Ziad Abu Lhlayel from Dura, Hebron, following a brutal assault during a raid on his home. Abu Lhlayel, a well-known Palestinian figure, was recognised for his defiant stance against Israeli soldiers as they arrested Palestinian children," the chairman of Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor wrote.

The killing of Hleil comes on the same day as the one-year mark of Israel's war on Gaza, which has killed 41,909 Palestinians and wounded over 97,303 others.

Since the start of the war, there has been an unprecedented uptick in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, with raids on cities and towns becoming more regular, as well as mass arrest campaigns.

Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 622 in the occupied West Bank, and over 10,400 others have been arrested.