URGENT UPDATE: Israeli forces have shot and killed two Palestinian boys on the outskirts of Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Authority (PA). The deaths occurred in the town of Kufr Aqab early on October 6, 2023. The victims, identified as Amr Khaled Ahmed Al-Marbou, 18, and Sami Ibrahim Sami Mashayekh, 16, were reportedly unarmed when they were struck by gunfire.
The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the fatalities, stating that both boys were “martyred by occupation forces gunfire.” This incident has heightened tensions in the region, prompting hundreds to participate in funeral processions for the two boys later that day.
Officials from the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that they transported two individuals from Kufr Aqab to a hospital with gunshot wounds during the night. Eyewitness Oday al-Shurfa, a friend of Al-Marbou, described the harrowing scene: “He was just standing there, not holding or throwing stones,” he recounted, adding that Al-Marbou was struck “in the chest, in the heart. He collapsed and was martyred on the spot.”
A relative of Al-Marbou, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed outrage over the violence, stating, “He was with four others; one of them was also killed, another is in critical condition, and another suffered a serious hand injury. What kind of brutality is this?”
This tragic event comes amid ongoing tensions between Israeli forces and Palestinian communities, raising urgent questions about the use of lethal force and the impact on civilian lives. The situation remains fluid, and local authorities continue to call for accountability and justice.
As the story develops, residents and officials are urging international attention to the escalating violence in the region. Future protests and demonstrations are expected as communities rally for justice for Al-Marbou and Mashayekh.
