Palestinian Teen Shot by Israeli Forces Dies

A Palestinian protester seeks cover from tear gas fired by Israeli troops during clashes after a demonstration against Israel's settlements on the lands of Kafr Qaddum village, near the West Bank city of Nablus, 17 February 2023. EPA/ALAA BADARNEH
A Palestinian protester seeks cover from tear gas fired by Israeli troops during clashes after a demonstration against Israel's settlements on the lands of Kafr Qaddum village, near the West Bank city of Nablus, 17 February 2023. EPA/ALAA BADARNEH
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Palestinian Teen Shot by Israeli Forces Dies

A Palestinian protester seeks cover from tear gas fired by Israeli troops during clashes after a demonstration against Israel's settlements on the lands of Kafr Qaddum village, near the West Bank city of Nablus, 17 February 2023. EPA/ALAA BADARNEH
A Palestinian protester seeks cover from tear gas fired by Israeli troops during clashes after a demonstration against Israel's settlements on the lands of Kafr Qaddum village, near the West Bank city of Nablus, 17 February 2023. EPA/ALAA BADARNEH

A 16-year-old Palestinian died Monday from his wounds almost two weeks after being shot in the head by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said.

The ministry announced the death of "Montaser Mohammad Theeb Shawa, 16, of his wounds, which he sustained two weeks ago by the occupation (Israeli) bullets in Balata camp" in Nablus in the northern West Bank.

According to AFP, the statement added that the "bullet penetrated his head".

Medical sources at the Rafidia hospital in Nablus said Shawa had been shot on February 8.

The Israeli army said in a statement that "on the evening of February 8... armed gunmen fired at soldiers" who secured Jewish worshipers at Joseph's Tomb, a contested religious site near the Balata refugee camp.

The force "responded with live fire", the Israeli statement said, adding without elaborating that a person had been hit.

Nablus has seen frequent clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants in recent months.



Slow Progress on More Permanent Lebanon Ceasefire Now Possible, UN Commander Says 

United Nations peacekeepers drive in UNIFIL vehicles past destroyed buildings while patrolling in Lebanon's southern village of Kfar Kila close to the border with Israel on April 6, 2025. (AFP)
United Nations peacekeepers drive in UNIFIL vehicles past destroyed buildings while patrolling in Lebanon's southern village of Kfar Kila close to the border with Israel on April 6, 2025. (AFP)
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Slow Progress on More Permanent Lebanon Ceasefire Now Possible, UN Commander Says 

United Nations peacekeepers drive in UNIFIL vehicles past destroyed buildings while patrolling in Lebanon's southern village of Kfar Kila close to the border with Israel on April 6, 2025. (AFP)
United Nations peacekeepers drive in UNIFIL vehicles past destroyed buildings while patrolling in Lebanon's southern village of Kfar Kila close to the border with Israel on April 6, 2025. (AFP)

The head of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon says the balance of force in the country has now “significantly changed” which may finally enable slow progress toward a more permanent ceasefire, “but this may still take a long time.”

Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz told the UN Security Council Monday that an internal political process could be required to deal with key issues including dealing with Hezbollah fighters and other armed groups.

Sáenz said other issues that need to be tackled are military capabilities “and a political track between Lebanon and Israel to deal with questions of sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as border demarcation.”

He said Lebanon’s consent to the deployment of the 10,000-strong UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which faces increasing threats from disinformation and misinformation, is also key.

To counter disinformation and misinformation, Sáenz said UNIFIL must establish “a strong fact-based narrative” to avoid misperceptions, for example, that UN peacekeepers work at the behest of Israel, have a hidden agenda, and are an occupation force.