Jerusalem: Two Palestinians, including a minor, were killed at dawn on Friday by Israeli army gunfire in Kafr Aqab, where northernmost East Jerusalem meets the West Bank.

According to Anadolu Agency, Palestinian Red Crescent Society teams responded to two critical injuries caused by live bullets during an Israeli raid on Kafr Aqab. Both individuals were subsequently transferred to the hospital. The Palestinian Health Ministry later announced the deaths of Amr Al-Marbou', 18, and Sami Mashaikh, 16, who succumbed to their injuries from the gunfire.

Israeli forces reportedly stormed Kafr Aqab, deploying foot patrols in the streets and positioning snipers on rooftops before opening fire on the young men. The incident is part of a larger escalation by the Israeli army in the occupied West Bank since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.

Since the escalation began, at least 1,078 Palestinians have been killed and 10,700 others injured in attacks by the army and illegal settlers in the occupied territory. More than 20,500 people have been arrested in the ongoing conflict.