Palestinian child shot dead by Israeli troops in occupied West Bank

Rights group says Palestinian children are ‘increasingly targets’ as Israeli military and settler violence soars.Published On 16 Jan 2026Israeli troops have shot and killed a Palestinian child in the occupied West Bank, as a wave of intensified Israeli military and settler violence across the territory continues.Mohammed Naasan, 14, was killed on Friday after Israeli forces stormed and opened fire in the village of al-Mughayyir, near Ramallah, assaulting residents.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Wary of Israeli appropriation, Palestine lists 14 sites with UNESCOlist 2 of 3Israel carries out raids and demolitions, arrests dozens across West Banklist 3 of 3Israel kills 10 in Gaza as US declares phase two of ceasefire deal launchedend of listNaasan was shot in the back and chest, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.The Israeli military said in a statement that troops fatally shot Naasan because he was “running towards them carrying a rock”.The killing came after Israeli settlers, under the protection of the Israeli army, had earlier on Friday stormed an area south of al-Mughayyir and fired live rounds, according to Wafa.Palestinians across the West Bank have faced a wave of intensified Israeli military and settler violence in the shadow of Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 71,000 people since October 2023.Experts say the violence, which is taking place amid a push by far-right Israeli politicians to formally annex the West Bank, aims to force Palestinians out of their homes and communities.According to United Nations figures, at least 240 Palestinians, including 55 children, were killed by Israeli forces or settlers last year alone.The UN’s humanitarian office (OCHA) said more than 1,800 settler attacks that resulted in casualties or property damage were also recorded in 2025 – an average of about five incidents per day.