Israeli forces kill two Palestinian teens as settler violence escalates across the West Bank
Israeli forces shot and killed two Palestinian teenagers during a raid on the town of Kafr Aqab, north of occupied East Jerusalem, as widespread settler attacks wreak havoc across the West Bank.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health identified the two killed as Amr Khaled Ahmed al-Marbou, 18, and Sami Ibrahim Sami Mashayekh, 16.
Israeli forces stormed Kafr Aqab overnight on Friday, deploying ground forces, according to local media. Snipers positioned on the rooftops of several buildings opened fire on civilian crowds, killing two and wounding several others.
Earlier, the Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that its teams were treating two young men who had been seriously wounded by Israeli live ammunition.
They were both transferred to the nearby Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah, where they were pronounced dead.
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According to Haaretz, Israeli police said in a statement that border guards operated on Thursday night "against hostile elements who tried to harm the forces and public order".
It said that during patrol, a "violent disturbance developed", as suspects pelted stones, shot fireworks and a "massive shooting was heard near the scene, the source of which was not identified".
"[Israeli forces] fired at four suspects who seriously endangered the force. The suspects were evacuated for medical treatment by medical personnel," it added.
However, a local resident speaking to the Israeli news outlet said that around 11pm (9pm GMT), soldiers arrived in the area and set up positions. Soon after, "shots were heard from the Israeli side, and the two boys were killed".
"It was only a matter of time before this happened," the resident said, noting a drastic change in the behaviour of Israeli forces in recent months.
"They’re here almost every night," he added. "[The Israeli soldiers] usually just set up positions, wait for people to get angry, act aggressively and brazenly - and then shoot."
Hundreds gathered on the streets of the town on Friday morning to take part in funeral processions for the Palestinian teenagers, local media reported.
Overnight, military raids were reported across the occupied West Bank, including in Ramallah, Jenin, Nablus and Hebron.
Settler attacks and destruction
The latest Israeli killing brings the death toll in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since the beginning of this year to 244 people, including 43 children and six women.
Over 1,076 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli army and settler violence in the occupied territory since the start of Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. Another 10,700 have been wounded.
Amid the escalation in deadly raids by Israeli forces, settler violence has also surged, particularly since the olive harvest season began last month.
On Friday, settlers assaulted Palestinians across the West Bank and carried out arson attacks on several properties, including tourist villas, farmland and a vehicle scrapyard.
In the town of Huwara, south of Nablus, settlers set fire to a scrapyard. Footage online shows large flames engulfing the warehouse and the surrounding area.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent reported that settlers ignited the fires before residents could intervene. Palestinian sources confirmed to the outlet that over 350 vehicles were destroyed as a result.
Meanwhile, the city of Ramallah saw several reports of arson attacks, including the burning of agricultural land in the town of Abu Falah, as well as extensive damage to six tourist villas.
A video circulating online shows a brutal attack on Palestinians in Khirbet al-Markaz, in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron. Settlers beat residents with sticks and stones, wounding at least five people.
الضفة: مستوطنون يهاجمون بلدة حوارة جنوب نابلس ويحرقون مركبات في "مشطب" pic.twitter.com/bZJPsD4mFb
— موقع عرب 48 (@arab48website) November 20, 2025
Translation: West Bank: Settlers attack the town of Huwara, south of Nablus, and burn vehicles in a scrapyard.
During a special security discussion session held on Thursday, the Israeli domestic intelligence, Shin Bet, said settler violence should be confronted with "full force".
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, on the other hand, suggested creating "educational programmes" for settlers.
The session was held following the growing concern regarding the rise of settler attacks, which have also targeted Israeli forces in recent days.
Settler violence has escalated significantly over the past month, prompting concern within Israel from politicians who fear the growing number of attacks could trigger a Palestinian response.
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