Palestinian Minors Killed by Israeli Forces at Alarming Rate

Youssef Shtayyeh, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy, was killed by an Israeli soldier on April 23, just 100 meters from his home in Nablus, a city in the northern West Bank. His death is part of a disturbing trend, with Unicef reporting that one Palestinian minor has been killed every week on average since January 2025. According to Unicef, 70 teenagers, mostly aged 15 to 16, have been killed to date, with 65 of them killed by Israeli forces. The Israeli military has claimed that the minors were throwing stones, which they consider a form of terrorism. However, the use of lethal force has been widely criticized, with many arguing that it is disproportionate and amounts to a violation of international law. Youssef's father, Sameh Shtayyeh, has questioned the Israeli military's account of events, asking why his son was shot and killed when he posed no threat to the soldiers. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability, with many demanding an end to the use of lethal force against Palestinian minors. The Israeli military's response to the incident has been consistent, with a spokesperson stating that the soldiers applied "standard arrest procedure" and that the use of force was justified. However, critics argue that the military's actions are designed to kill, rather than to arrest or deter. Surgeon Bahaa Fattouh, who treated Youssef, has seen a significant increase in lethal wounds since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. "We only see lethal wounds — chest, head," he said. "Wounds that were designed to kill." The killings have had a devastating impact on the families of the victims, with Youssef's father struggling to come to terms with the loss of his son. He had promised to take Youssef to Saudi Arabia to watch Cristiano Ronaldo play, but now he is left with only memories of his son. The incident has also sparked widespread condemnation, with many calling for an end to the occupation and the use of lethal force against Palestinian civilians. As the situation continues to deteriorate, it remains to be seen what actions will be taken to hold those responsible accountable and to prevent further killings.