Palestinian resistance groups have strongly condemned the fatal shooting of a Palestinian teenager during an Israeli military raid on the northern occupied West Bank city of Nablus, saying the blood of martyrs will not be wasted away, but will strengthen the anti-Israel struggle and put an eternal curse on the occupying regime.
Ismail Rizwan, a leader of the Gaza-based Hamas movement, said the Tel Aviv regime committed a new act of aggression against Palestinians by raiding the Balata refugee camp and shooting sixteen-year-old Amer Abu Zaytoon in the head on Thursday morning, adding that the horrific act adds to its long list of crimes.
“The blood of martyrs will not be wasted away, as it will fortify the resistance front and will put an eternal curse on the occupying Israeli regime,” he noted.
Rizwan saluted the steadfast residents of the Balata camp, saying, “The West Bank will remain a symbol of resistance.”
The senior Hamas official then called upon the entire Muslim nation to continue their struggle against Israel, and respond to the regime’s crimes.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement also extended its condolences to the Palestinian nation for the death of Abu Zaytoon.
“We mourn the loss of the teenager at the hands of Israeli troops, and stress that the uptick in violence and crimes against innocent Palestinian civilians exposes Israel’s wicked nature, and the fascist characteristics of the newly sworn-in far-right cabinet,” it said in a statement.
“The Israeli crime against our nation will not go unanswered, the spirit of resistance will further foster, and Palestinians will try to stop Zionist invaders and settlers in all spheres. The enemy knows that our people are determined to stand up against it at any cost,” the Islamic Jihad stated.
Furthermore, the Nablus Brigade said its fighters engaged Israeli troops in several neighborhoods, and safely returned to their bases following armed clashes with the forces.
Abu Zaytoon is the fourth Palestinian to be killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank this year. His death comes after another Palestinian minor, 15-year-old Adam Ayyad, was killed by Israeli forces on Tuesday.
The United Nations marked 2022 as the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank in 16 years.
Israeli forces killed more than 220 Palestinians last year, including at least 171 in the West Bank and occupied East al-Quds. There were more than 30 children among the fatalities. At least 9,000 others were injured as well.
The inauguration last week of the most right-wing regime in Israel, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has sparked fears of an escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories.