A Palestinian-American teenager was shot and killed Friday by Israeli troops in the West Bank, Palestinian officials told Reuters.
The 17-year-old boy was shot during clashes with Israeli forces, the victim’s uncle told Reuters.
A State Department spokesperson would only confirm to CBS News that a U.S. citizen had died in the West Bank, adding that “we are working to understand the circumstances of the incident and have asked the government of Israel for further information.”
The Israeli Police Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement that on Friday afternoon that “an incident report was received concerning firearm discharge, ostensibly involving an off-duty law enforcement officer, a soldier, and a civilian.” The “discharge was directed towards a perceived threat,” described by the police statement as Palestinian individuals throwing rocks along a highway.
“Additional information indicated the potential fatality of a 17-year-old Palestinian due to gunfire,” the police statement said, adding that an investigation has been launched.
The Israel Defense Forces told CBS News that an IDF soldier was present in the area, and that the “claim that the soldier fired at the Palestinian is under review.”
According to Wafa, the Palestinian National Authority’s official news agency, the boy was shot in the head.
Wafa reported that the shooting occurred in a small Palestinian town east of Ramallah.
Tensions in the West Bank have surged since Hamas launched its bloody Oct. 7 terrorist attack on southern Israel, sparking the Israel-Hamas war.
Thanks for reading CBS NEWS.
Create your free account or log in
for more features.
