Violence Escalates in Gaza and the West Bank: Four Palestinians Killed
Recent military actions and settler violence result in casualties in Gaza and multiple incidents in the West Bank.
On March 14, 2025, a Palestinian individual was killed by Israeli forces in the northern occupied West Bank, as fighting continued between Israeli troops and Palestinian residents.
The deceased, identified as 21-year-old Omar Abdul Hakim Daoud Ashteyah, was shot in the village of Salem, east of Nablus.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed the fatality, stating that Israeli soldiers entered Salem and engaged in heavy fire, leading to severe clashes with local Palestinian youth.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported an extremely critical injury to another young man in the same area, who was shot in the head and subsequently transported to a hospital.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that Israeli forces deployed in the main street of Salem, using live ammunition, sound grenades, and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Acting in a different part of the West Bank, settlers launched a series of provocations in the Jericho area, specifically in the site known as Nabl al-Awja, in celebration of the Jewish holiday of Purim.
The holiday festivities reportedly included acts of vandalism and harassment directed at nearby Palestinian communities.
Activists noted that the celebrations began at sundown on March 14 and would last until sunset on March 15.
In the area of Salfit, reports detailed ongoing land clearing activities by settlers in the Wadi al-Matwi region, where numerous centuries-old olive trees were uprooted.
Local governmental authorities issued statements condemning the Israeli security forces for inadequately protecting Palestinian agricultural lands from these incursions.
Additionally, in Tulkarem, Israeli forces conducted a raid on a home in the Qaqoun neighborhood, arresting three young men from the distinguished Tawal family.
Data from the Palestinian Anti-Settlements Commission indicated an escalation in violence in February 2025, with 1,475 incidents of aggression attributed to Israeli forces and 230 acts of aggression by settlers reported against Palestinians in the West Bank.
The highest concentration of incidents were recorded in Nablus (300 cases), Hebron (267 cases), and Ramallah (263 cases).
In a separate series of incidents in the Gaza Strip, four Palestinians were killed due to Israeli airstrikes targeting the eastern area of the Zeitoun neighborhood in the southeastern part of Gaza City.
This attack occurred despite ongoing tensions surrounding a ceasefire agreement between Israeli and Palestinian factions.
Medical sources stated that the Al-Makassed Hospital had received the bodies of the deceased, who were reportedly gathering wood when they were struck by an Israeli drone.
In ongoing military actions, Israeli artillery units were reported to be firing extensively towards Palestinian homes in the al-Shawka area near Rafah, southern Gaza.
Prior reports also noted that three additional Palestinians were injured due to Israeli shelling in central Rafah, highlighting ongoing violations of the ceasefire agreement which has been in place since early March 2025.
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli military operations in Gaza, framed as a response to conflict, have led to a death toll exceeding 160,000 Palestinians — with a significant number being women and children — and leaving over 14,000 reported missing.
The deceased, identified as 21-year-old Omar Abdul Hakim Daoud Ashteyah, was shot in the village of Salem, east of Nablus.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed the fatality, stating that Israeli soldiers entered Salem and engaged in heavy fire, leading to severe clashes with local Palestinian youth.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported an extremely critical injury to another young man in the same area, who was shot in the head and subsequently transported to a hospital.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that Israeli forces deployed in the main street of Salem, using live ammunition, sound grenades, and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Acting in a different part of the West Bank, settlers launched a series of provocations in the Jericho area, specifically in the site known as Nabl al-Awja, in celebration of the Jewish holiday of Purim.
The holiday festivities reportedly included acts of vandalism and harassment directed at nearby Palestinian communities.
Activists noted that the celebrations began at sundown on March 14 and would last until sunset on March 15.
In the area of Salfit, reports detailed ongoing land clearing activities by settlers in the Wadi al-Matwi region, where numerous centuries-old olive trees were uprooted.
Local governmental authorities issued statements condemning the Israeli security forces for inadequately protecting Palestinian agricultural lands from these incursions.
Additionally, in Tulkarem, Israeli forces conducted a raid on a home in the Qaqoun neighborhood, arresting three young men from the distinguished Tawal family.
Data from the Palestinian Anti-Settlements Commission indicated an escalation in violence in February 2025, with 1,475 incidents of aggression attributed to Israeli forces and 230 acts of aggression by settlers reported against Palestinians in the West Bank.
The highest concentration of incidents were recorded in Nablus (300 cases), Hebron (267 cases), and Ramallah (263 cases).
In a separate series of incidents in the Gaza Strip, four Palestinians were killed due to Israeli airstrikes targeting the eastern area of the Zeitoun neighborhood in the southeastern part of Gaza City.
This attack occurred despite ongoing tensions surrounding a ceasefire agreement between Israeli and Palestinian factions.
Medical sources stated that the Al-Makassed Hospital had received the bodies of the deceased, who were reportedly gathering wood when they were struck by an Israeli drone.
In ongoing military actions, Israeli artillery units were reported to be firing extensively towards Palestinian homes in the al-Shawka area near Rafah, southern Gaza.
Prior reports also noted that three additional Palestinians were injured due to Israeli shelling in central Rafah, highlighting ongoing violations of the ceasefire agreement which has been in place since early March 2025.
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli military operations in Gaza, framed as a response to conflict, have led to a death toll exceeding 160,000 Palestinians — with a significant number being women and children — and leaving over 14,000 reported missing.
