Palestinian boy, 13, shot dead by police in Jerusalem after firing fireworks at them

A 13-year-old Palestinian accused of shooting fireworks toward security forces was shot and killed by police in East Jerusalem on Tuesday evening amid clashes in the area on the second night of Ramadan.

The Wafa Palestinian news agency identified the teen as Rami Hamdan Al-Halhouli, a resident of the Shuafat refugee camp in Jerusalem, and said he died of his wounds in a hospital after being critically injured by the gunfire.

According to police, a “violent disorder” broke out in Shuafat on Tuesday evening, with rioters throwing Molotov cocktails and shooting fireworks “directly at security forces.” Police said they posted extra Border Police forces in the area following similar clashes a night earlier, amid high tensions at the onset of Ramadan in the shadow of the ongoing war in Gaza.

During the clashes Tuesday, police said, a Border Police officer fired toward “a suspect who endangered security forces by firing fireworks directly at them.” Police said the suspect was caught, arrested and taken for medical treatment. He was later declared dead.

Police said officers dispersed the clash without any harm to security forces, and that police will “continue to act resolutely against violent troublemakers. Whoever endangers security forces of civilians — endangers his own life.”

In video of the incident circulating on social media, the teen can be seen setting off the firework and running forward while holding it before he is shot. It is not clear from the video how close the police officers were.

ראמי חמדאן בן 13 ממחנה הפליטים שועפאט ירה זיקוק ונורה על ידי שוטר. מצבו אנוש. כאן תיעוד של ירי הזיקוק והירי בילד.
שכל אחד ישפוט בעצמו אבל לדעתי הזיקוק לא כוון ולא סיכן אף שוטר. pic.twitter.com/Mldr3qyXYy

— نير حسون Nir Hasson ניר חסון (@nirhasson) March 12, 2024

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir issued a statement in support of the “Border Police officers who risked their lives in the face of dozens of Arab rioters,” and offered his backing to “the fighter who killed the terrorist who tried to shoot fireworks toward him and toward forces. This is exactly how we must again against terrorists — with determination and precision.”

تغطية صحفية: الطفل رامي حمدان الحلحولي، الذي ارتقى برصاص أحد قناصة الاحتلال قرب حاجز مخيم شعفاط في القدس. pic.twitter.com/nFBDhXsnwU

— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) March 12, 2024

Tensions are high across Jerusalem with the onset of Ramadan Sunday evening, with fears that violence could escalate amid Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.

On Sunday evening, police scuffled with worshipers outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City.

Footage showed Border Police officers assailing some visitors with batons at the entrance to the compound. In response to the video, the Israel Police said it was working to “enable freedom of worship on the Temple Mount while at the same time ensuring safety and security, in accordance with instructions given by the political leadership.”

Police said “increased inspection was carried out in the area” to detect threats and “prevent potential criminals, instigators and violators of public order, for the sake of public peace and security, and the proper observance of Ramadan prayers.”

Despite a push last month from Ben Gvir to restrict worshipers at the holy site, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that the numbers admitted to the compound this year would be similar to last year, pending a weekly assessment.