Israeli troops kill two Palestinian teenagers in West Bank

Israeli troops have shot dead two Palestinian teenagers after allegedly infiltrating a West Bank settlement and wounding an Israeli settler.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab & agencies

02 March, 2016

At least 184 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since October [AFP]

Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli troops on Wednesday after allegedly wounding a settler in the West Bank settlement of Eli, south of Nablus.

An Israeli army spokesperson said they "infiltrated" the settlement early on Wednesday, armed with "knives and clubs" and attacked the Israeli settler as he was leaving his home.

Israeli forces arrived on the scene and responded to the "significant threat" by opening fire on the two teenagers, killing both of them, the spokesperson added.

The Palestinian health ministry identified the two teenagers as Labib Azzam and Muhammad Zaghlawan, both 17-years-old, from the nearby village of Qaryut.

The settler was evacuated to Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem with light injuries.

Local sources in Qaryut village told Ma'an News Agency that the two teenagers had "disappeared after they performed evening prayers and their family were searching for them."

Wednesday's incident is the latest in more than five months of Israeli-Palestinian violence.

At least 184 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since October, 41 of them under the age of 18.

Israel blames Palestinians for fanning violence and incitement.

Palestinians say the current conflict is rooted in frustrations stemming from nearly five decades of Israeli occupation and the complete lack of progress in peace efforts.