Rayan Tamer Hawshiya, aged 15, was killed by Israeli forces in a town near Jenin, in northern West Bank, officials say, where violence against Palestinians has spiraled in recent months.
A new wave of violence gripped the occupied West Bank as Israeli forces shot and killed a 15-year-old Palestinian boy. The incident comes amid a surge in settler attacks on Palestinian towns, sparking fears of a deeper crisis in the region.
Teenager Killed in Al Yamoun Raid
On Wednesday, Israeli forces raided the town of Al Yamoun near Jenin. During the operation, 15-year-old Rayan Tamer Hawshiya was shot in the neck and killed, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Residents described intense Israeli gunfire throughout the area.
The Israeli military said its forces came under attack from individuals throwing explosives. In response, soldiers opened fire, claiming to have hit several targets. No Israeli injuries were reported.
Elderly Woman Dies in East Jerusalem Raid
In a separate incident, a 66-year-old Palestinian woman, Zahia Joudeh al-Obeidi, died after being shot in the head by Israeli police in East Jerusalem’s Shuafat refugee camp. Local reports say Israeli forces stormed the area, triggering chaos. Israeli police said an investigation was underway and confirmed the woman was pronounced dead at the checkpoint.
Settler Violence Sparks Outrage in Kafr Malik
Violence intensified in Kafr Malik as Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian homes and vehicles. Several residents were killed and wounded, but exact numbers remain unclear. Some Israeli politicians, including opposition leader Yair Golan, described the events as a “violent Jewish pogrom.”
Footage verified by CNN showed homes ablaze, residents fleeing, and cars engulfed in flames. The Israeli military acknowledged that “dozens of civilians” set properties on fire before clashing with Palestinian gunmen and security forces. Five settlers were arrested.
More Attacks Across the West Bank
The unrest didn’t stop in Kafr Malik. Settlers targeted Taybeh and Jericho shortly after. In Taybeh, masked men set cars on fire, injuring three people. Around Jericho, eight individuals suffered smoke inhalation after a home was torched, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
These coordinated settler attacks have sparked alarm among human rights groups and international observers, who warn of a rapidly deteriorating situation in the occupied territories.
Military Operations Displace Thousands
Israel has ramped up its military campaign in the West Bank, targeting what it claims are militant networks. These operations have displaced thousands and destroyed entire communities.
Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of “deliberate displacement” and making large areas “unlivable,” in violation of international law.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant compared operations in the West Bank to those in Gaza. He emphasized the need to evacuate Palestinian residents temporarily, though critics warn this policy is becoming permanent.
UN Condemns Forced Displacement
Roland Friedrich of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) expressed grave concern. He highlighted the demolition of dozens of buildings in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams refugee camps over the past twelve days. He said families were “stripped of basic dignity” and unable to retrieve belongings before bulldozers arrived.
The UN has reported that between October 7, 2023, and June 12, 2025, at least 947 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, including 200 children. During the same period, 39 Israeli civilians were killed, according to Israeli government sources.
Settlement Expansion Adds Fuel to the Fire
Israel continues to expand settlements in the West Bank, recently approving the largest settlement expansion in decades. These settlements are illegal under international law and often lead to increased tensions and violence.
A Region on the Brink
The ongoing violence in the West Bank—marked by military raids, settler attacks, and widespread displacement—has escalated into a full-blown humanitarian crisis. As Palestinian civilians continue to bear the brunt, international concern is mounting. Calls for accountability and a halt to illegal settlement expansion grow louder, but peace remains distant in a land stripped of safety and dignity.
