Israel kills 15-year-old in night attack on refugee camp

A smiling boy wearing a tee and a long necklace

Israeli forces fatally shot 15-year-old Imad Hashash as he sat with his brother on the roof of their home on 24 August.

Defense for Children International Palestine

A Palestinian child was killed by Israeli forces as he stood on the roof of his home on Tuesday.

The noise of gunshots awoke Imad Khaled Hashash, 15, and his brother at 3 am as Israeli forces raided Balata refugee camp in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus.

Israel conducts such night raids into West Bank towns and cities on a daily basis, arresting Palestinians.

The brothers went up to the roof of their house to see what was happening, according to a field investigation by Defense for Children International Palestine.

As Imad was reaching for his phone to take a picture or a video, Israeli forces shot him in the head with live ammunition.

Imad’s brothers couldn’t evacuate him at first because Israeli troops were firing tear gas.

A neighbor’s taxi took Imad to Rafidia hospital in Nablus, where he was pronounced dead.

Israeli soldiers enjoy near-total impunity for their killing of Palestinian children in their homes “without fear of any consequences,” Ayed Abu Eqtaish, DCIP’s accountability program director, said.

Imad’s death brings to 12 the number of Palestinian children killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank since the beginning of the year.

Women weep and mourn

Palestinians mourn 15-year-old Imad Khaled Hashash at his funeral in Balata refugee camp in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on 24 August.

Shadi Jarar’ah APA images

Israeli occupation forces raided the offices of Defense for Children International Palestine in al-Bireh on the outskirts of the West Bank city of Ramallah on 29 July.

Dozens of Israeli soldiers, who are seen raiding the offices on security camera footage, confiscated computers, hard drives and files.

As of earlier this month, Israel’s Ofer military court was considering a petition by DCIP demanding the return of all the property confiscated in the raid.

United Nations human rights experts are also demanding that the materials be returned.

“An occupying power with a true commitment to human rights would protect and encourage the work of human rights defenders, and not ostracize, harass or silence them,” the experts stated.

DCIP’s investigative work and in-depth reporting are essential for documenting Israeli crimes against Palestinian children, including murders, injuries and detentions.

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Biden decided to end the never ending war in Afghanistan that has been going on for twenty years, he should also end all military and economic aid to Israel which he of course won't do. And he should hold Israel accountable for its crimes against humanity which he of course won't do either.

Tamara Nassar

Tamara Nassar is an assistant editor at The Electronic Intifada.