Two Palestinian children were shot dead by Israeli forces early Thursday morning in the town of Al-Khader, south of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, according to local sources.

The Ministry of Health confirmed that 15-year-old Ahmad Ali Asaad Ashira al-Salah and 17-year-old Mohammad Khaled Aliyan Issa, were killed after Israeli troops opened gunfire on a group of children near the al-Abara area, adjacent to the colonial bypass road Route 60.

Israeli forces opened gunfire on four children late Wednesday night, killing two and detaining their bodies, while the other two were wounded and transferred to local hospitals in Bethlehem.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) affirmed that its medical team were denied access by the gun-toting soldiers to provide urgent aid to the wounded individuals.

In parallel with the ongoing genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, the Israeli occupation army and colonists have escalated their attacks and violence in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem.

Since October 7, 2023, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, with nearly 7,000 reported injured.

Additionally, over 17,000 Palestinians have been detained by the occupation troops in the West Bank, according to official figures.

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