BETHLEHEM, July 10, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation forces on Thursday shot dead two Palestinians south of the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, according to the Health Ministry.

The Ministry announced that it was informed by the Civil Affairs Authority that the occupying forces opened fire at Mahmoud Aabed, 23, from Halhul and Malek Salem, 23, from Bizzariya village, northwest of Nablus, killing them.

It added that the occupying forces were holding the bodies of Aabed and Salem.

The occupation forces said that Aabed and Salem were gunned down allegedly after they carried out a combined shooting and stabbing attack near the Gush Etzion colony, established on Palestinian-owned land to the south of Bethlehem, resulting in the killing of a colonist.

Following the alleged attack, the occupation forces have tightened movement restrictions around Halhul, setting up roadblocks.

K.F.