Palestinian teen shot and killed after attempted stabbing attack

Palestine

Published: 2017-08-20 11:02

Last Updated: 2024-03-29 08:45


A photo of the slain youth later circulated on social media. (Twitter)
A photo of the slain youth later circulated on social media. (Twitter)

A Palestinian teenager was shot and killed by Israeli border police at Israel's Zaatara military checkpoint in the northern occupied West Bank on Saturday afternoon, after Israeli authorities accused the youth of carrying out an attempted stabbing attack.

The 17-year-old Palestinian allegedly approached Israeli soldiers stationed at the Nablus-area checkpoint and attempted to attack an officer with a knife, before being shot and killed, Palestinian news agency, an Israeli spokesperson reported.

A border guard police officer was reportedly taken to a hospital after he was hit by shrapnel in the foot, presumably by friendly fire.

Zahran was the 54th Palestinian to be killed by Israelis since the start of the year, 13 of whom were killed over a two-week period in July during alleged attacks or in clashes following protests against Israeli security measures at Al-Aqsa mosque. Since the beginning of 2017, 13 Israelis have been killed by Palestinians.

Rights groups have routinely condemned Israeli forces an excessive use of force, with Palestinians deliberately shot dead despite posing no imminent threat to life, in what can be termed as ‘extra judicial killings.’