Ramallah, September 9, 2025—Israeli forces shot and killed two Palestinian boys in the northern occupied West Bank yesterday.
Islam Abdulaziz Nouh Majarmah and Mohammad Seri Omar Masqala, both 14 years old, were shot and killed by Israeli forces in separate but related incidents in the early evening of September 8 outside of Jenin refugee camp in the northern occupied West Bank, according to documentation collected by Defense for Children International - Palestine. Both boys were killed near Jenin Governmental Hospital, close to the entrance of Jenin refugee camp, which has been under Israeli military siege since January 21, 2025, during which Israeli forces have forcibly displaced all residents of the camp.
“Islam and Mohammad were targeted by Israeli forces with lethal force when they posed no threat at all to the soldiers carrying out military operations in their community,” said Ayed Abu Eqtaish, accountability program director at DCIP. “Israeli forces have repeatedly targeted Jenin and Jenin refugee camp, including a siege that has continued since January, with complete impunity.”
Islam went to Jenin refugee camp with his parents and siblings to check on their home, which had been destroyed by Israeli forces since Israeli military operations forcibly displaced all Palestinian residents of Jenin refugee camp during a large-scale operation that began on January 21. On their way back to Qabatiya around 5:45 p.m., where the family has been staying since their displacement, an Israeli military vehicle approached them at a high speed. Soldiers exited the vehicle, then opened fire toward the family from a distance of 40 to 50 meters (131 to 164 feet) away, striking Islam in the back with a bullet that exited through the left side of his chest. Islam’s uncle carried him to Jenin Governmental Hospital, located just a few meters away, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Mohammad, a resident of the city of Jenin, was shot by Israeli forces around 6:30 p.m. on September 8 while standing near the earthen barrier at the main entrance to Jenin refugee camp, according to documentation collected by DCIP. Mohammad sustained two gunshot wounds, one to his left hand and a second that entered his right side and exited under his right armpit. The shots were fired from a distance of about 50 to 70 meters (164 to 230 feet) away by soldiers concealed behind the earthen barrier. Mohammad was rushed into surgery at Jenin Governmental Hospital, but he was declared dead at 7 p.m.
Israeli forces have killed 40 Palestinian children in the occupied West Bank in 2025, including 14 children from Jenin, according to documentation collected by DCIP.
214 Palestinian children have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank since October 7, 2023, according to documentation collected by DCIP.
