Palestinian teen shot dead in latest unauthorized settler ‘hike’ near West Bank village

A civilian security coordinator for the West Bank settlement of Metzad opened fire at Palestinians on the outskirts of the village of Sa’ir, north of Hebron, amid an unauthorized settler hike through the area, according to the military.

The Palestinian Authority health ministry said earlier that a 17-year-old had died from gunshot wounds in Sa’ir.

In a statement, the IDF says that troops had been dispatched to Sa’ir amid reports of settlers, from the ultra-Orthodox settlement of Metzad, being pelted with stones while they “were on an unauthorized excursion” on the outskirts of the village.

As a result of the stone throwing, some of the Israelis were injured, and a “member of the security forces” — the civil security coordinator for Metzad — fired shots in the area, causing “Palestinian casualties,” the army says.

Karim Shalaldeh, 17, died of his wounds after being shot, the Palestinian Authority health ministry said, and a second Palestinian was reportedly wounded amid the incident.

The IDF says it also received reports of an under-construction building that was set on fire in the area, allegedly by the settlers, which was later extinguished.

The Israel Police has launched an investigation into the incident, including whether the building had been set on fire by the settlers. The military says that the troops “dispersed the confrontation” and escorted all of the Israelis out of the Palestinian village.

“The IDF clarifies that unauthorized excursions endanger those who take part in them, and divert forces from defense and counterterrorism operations in the area,” the army adds.