The Israeli military is investigating the killing of a 16-year-old Palestinian boy in the West Bank, after footage emerged contradicting its initial claim he was a ‘terrorist’.
JERUSALEM: The Israeli military says it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the killing of a teenage boy by its soldiers in the occupied West Bank over the weekend.
Surveillance footage circulating on social media appears to show the boy approaching two Israeli soldiers at an intersection in the town of Qabatiya.
In the video, one soldier, who is kneeling, stands up and opens fire, after which the teenager collapses.
On Saturday, the military said it conducted an operation in the Qabatiya area, south of Jenin.
It initially stated that “a terrorist hurled a block toward the soldiers, who responded with fire and eliminated the terrorist”.
The footage does not show the 16-year-old, identified by the Palestinian health ministry as Rayan Mohammed Abu Muala, throwing anything.
An army spokesman confirmed on Tuesday that the incident was under review.
The boy’s father, Mohammed Abu Muala, told AFP his son had intended to go to a shop but turned back after noticing military vehicles.
Thinking the military had left, he stepped outside but was shocked to see soldiers still on the ground.
“My son wasn’t carrying anything and didn’t do anything,” Abu Muala said.
“He was just 16 and was killed for no reason. They could have arrested him, there was no reason to shoot,” he added.
Violence in the West Bank has soared since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 triggered the Gaza war.
It has not subsided despite the truce between Israel and Hamas that came into effect in October.
Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 1,027 Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war, according to an AFP tally.
At least 44 Israelis have also been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the same period.
