Image Credits: Reuters
The Palestinian Ministry of Health identified the deceased as 22-year-old Ahmed Salim. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli forces arrived in el-Bireh shortly after midnight, sparking clashes with residents. Salim was shot several times during the clashes.
According to eyewitnesses, the situation quickly escalated when Israeli forces entered the residential area. “There was screaming and then we heard gunshots,” said one resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Ahmed was hit and fell. There was nothing we could do to save him.”
The Israeli military released a statement confirming the operation in el-Bireh, saying it was part of an ongoing effort to arrest people suspected of involvement in hostilities. The statement said the soldiers faced violent resistance during the operation, including throwing stones and firebombs, prompting them to open fire.
“During the operation, a suspect was identified and neutralized after posing an immediate threat to our forces,” the statement said. The army did not release further details about the nature of Salim’s alleged threat.
The murder of Ahmed Salim caused widespread outrage among Palestinians. In El-Bireh, residents took to the streets to protest against the excessive force of Israeli forces. Shops were closed and a general strike was called in mourning and protest.
Palestinian officials condemned the incident, calling it a “cold-blooded murder” and called on the international community to hold Israel accountable for its actions. “This is yet another example of brutal and illegal actions by the occupation forces against our people,” said a spokesman for the Palestinian Authority.
The El-Bireh incident stems from heightened tensions in the West Bank, with frequent clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians. Human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern about the use of lethal force in areas occupied by Israeli forces.
Military operations against Israeli terrorist cells and networks have increased in recent months. However, these operations often result in civilian casualties and have been criticized for escalating an already volatile situation in the West Bank.
The international community reacted quickly to the murder in el-Bireh. The United Nations and the European Union have called for an independent investigation into the incident. “We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that could further aggravate the situation,” said a UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs spokesman.