URGENT UPDATE: Israeli forces have killed two Palestinian boys in a shocking incident on the outskirts of Jerusalem, confirmed by the Palestinian Authority (PA) on October 20, 2023. The victims, Amr Khaled Ahmed Al-Marbou, aged 18, and Sami Ibrahim Sami Mashayekh, aged 16, were reportedly shot by occupation forces in the town of Kufr Aqab.
The Palestinian health ministry stated that both boys were “martyred” by gunfire during a tense night in their community. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that they transported two individuals from Kufr Aqab to a local hospital, both suffering from gunshot wounds.
A friend of Al-Marbou, Oday al-Shurfa, recounted the tragic events, stating, “He was just standing there, not holding or throwing stones.” Al-Shurfa described the moment Al-Marbou was struck, saying he was hit “in the chest, in the heart,” and collapsed immediately.
Witnesses indicate that the violence did not stop there. A relative of Al-Marbou, who chose to remain unnamed, revealed that he was with four others; one of them was also killed, while another is in critical condition and a third suffered a severe hand injury. “What kind of brutality is this?” she lamented.
Funeral processions for Al-Marbou and Mashayekh drew several hundred mourners, demonstrating the profound impact of this loss on the community. The situation in Kufr Aqab remains tense, with local authorities calling for immediate investigations into the shooting.
The international community is urged to pay attention to this unfolding situation as protests are expected in the coming days. This tragic incident adds to the ongoing tensions in the region, emphasizing the urgent need for dialogue and resolution.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
