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Israel forces kill 22-year-old Palestinian near Qalqiliya

Israel forces kill 22-year-old Palestinian near West Bank city of Qalqiliya
MENA
1 min read
The killing of Arref Lahlouh brings to 19 the total number of Palestinians killed by Israel in 2023.
Arref Lahlouh was killed by the Israeli army at a checkpoint near Qalqiliya [Getty]

Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, the Palestinian health ministry said

The ministry said that Arref Abdel Nasser Arref Lahlouh, 22, was killed "by Israeli gunfire," near the Palestinian city of Qalqilya.

The Israeli army accused Lahlou of "attempt[ing] to carry out a stabbing attack" near the Israeli settlement of Kdumim.

Lahlou is the 19th Palestinian killed by Israel in the  occupied West Bank this year. Israel has carried out near-daily deadly raids on Palestinian towns and cities in the West Bank since March 2022, killing and injuring hundreds of Palestinians.

Perspectives

The UN says that 2022 was the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since it began keeping records in 2005.

Separately on Wednesday, soldiers entered the Shuafat refugee camp in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem to demolish the family home of Udai Tamimi, who Israel accused of shooting a military policewoman at a checkpoint in October.

Tamimi was killed by Israeli forces after a 10-day manhunt.

Israel regularly demolishes the homes of individuals it blames for attacks on Israelis.

Palestinians and human rights activists say the policy amounts to collective punishment, as it renders non-combatants, including children, homeless.