Kathmandu— Israeli settlers and military forces killed two Palestinians in separate incidents on Friday in the occupied West Bank, as attacks and settlement expansion contribute to increasing displacement of Palestinian communities. Seventeen-year-old Karim Sanad Shalaldeh was shot by settlers in Hebron, while Fathi Khazem, 58, a former colonel in Palestinian National Security Forces, was killed by Israeli forces during a raid in Jenin. The incidents occurred against a backdrop of heightened tensions and growing international concern over the escalating violence and illegal settlement activity.

Hebron Settler Attack

The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that Karim Sanad Shalaldeh sustained a gunshot wound to the chest during an attack by Israeli settlers in Khirbet Hamroush, near Hebron. Local sources told Wafa news agency that armed settlers raided the area, opening fire on residents and setting homes ablaze. A 70-year-old man was also injured in the attack.

Jenin Military Raid

In Jenin, Israeli forces shot and killed Fathi Khazem during a raid on his home. The Israeli military claimed that Khazem attempted to stab troops before they opened fire. However, the Palestinian General Authority for Civil Affairs stated that the army did not release Khazem’s body to his family and prevented emergency services from reaching the house following the shooting. During the same raids near Jenin, a 14-year-old boy was shot with live ammunition in the chest and back and transferred to a hospital.

Escalating Violence and Displacement

The incidents are part of a broader pattern of escalating violence in the West Bank. Human Rights Watch reported on Thursday that state-backed Israeli settler violence has fully or partially displaced 107 Palestinian communities since January 2023, driven by increased attacks and rapid settlement expansion. In Qusra, south of Nablus, settlers continue to besiege three Palestinian homes for a 13th consecutive day under the protection of Israeli forces, preventing families from entering or leaving and seizing one house as a military post.

International Condemnation

Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territory, criticized the Israeli military in a social media post, calling it “the MOST IMMORAL ARMY.” She highlighted ongoing restrictions on water access and the continued violence in both the West Bank and Gaza. Several European nations – the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and Norway – jointly condemned Israel’s plans to build a major new settlement under the E1 project, calling it “unacceptable” and a violation of territorial contiguity.

The situation in the West Bank remains highly volatile, with ongoing concerns about further escalation of violence and displacement. International pressure is mounting on Israel to halt settlement expansion and protect Palestinian communities.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.