The Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Jihad resistance movements have mourned the death of a Palestinian teenager killed during an Israeli military raid in a refugee camp near the occupied West Bank city of Ariha, saying that such crimes and acts of aggression cannot stop Palestinians from treading the path of liberation.
“The barbaric crimes of the [Zionist] occupiers against civilians and innocent people will not undermine our nation's determination, and they will keep treading on the path of freedom and salvation,” the Islamic Jihad said in a statement.
“We appreciate resistance fighters, who bravely responded to the violent raid on the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp,” the statement added.
Separately, Hamas offered its sincere condolences to the bereaved family of 15-year-old Muhammad Fayez Bilhan, and at the same time hailed the steadfastness and resilience of Palestinians in the city of Ariha and Aqabat Jabr camp against the Israeli enemy.
The movement then called on all Palestinians to defend al-Aqsa Mosque and remain on the courtyards of the holy site.
The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that confrontations broke out soon after Israeli forces raided the Aqabat Jaber refugee camp on Monday morning, with dozens of armored vehicles and special forces, to arrest activists.
The report added that Israeli troops fired shots indiscriminately at local residents, hitting one in the head, chest and stomach. He later succumbed to his serious gunshot wounds. Two other Palestinians were struck in the lower parts of the body.
Local sources said Israeli soldiers had surrounded the camp from all sides before entering it to detain activists.
Over the past months, Israel has ramped up attacks on Palestinian towns and cities throughout the occupied territories. As a result of these attacks, dozens of Palestinians have lost their lives and many others have been arrested.
Most of the raids have focused on Nablus and Jenin, where Israeli forces have been trying to stifle a growing Palestinian resistance against occupation.
Local and international rights groups have condemned Israel’s excessive use of force and “shoot-to-kill policy” against Palestinians.