UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians said on Friday their partners are raising concerns over deadly West Bank settler violence and the use of live ammunition by Israeli forces in law enforcement involving Palestinians.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said two Palestinians were killed on Friday in separate incidents involving Israeli forces.
"In an attack by Israeli settlers in a Palestinian community in Hebron governorate, a young Palestinian was shot and killed, another was critically injured, a home was set on fire, and other homes were damaged," OCHA said. "The Israeli military, whose forces were reportedly present, said the shooting followed stone-throwing by Palestinians that injured Israelis."
Palestinian civil defense personnel helped put out the fire, the office said.
In the second incident, OCHA said, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man in his home in Jenin.
OCHA said that since the beginning of the year and as of Monday, 22 West Bank Palestinians have been killed in attacks, 12 by settlers, seven by Israeli forces, and three where it was unclear whether by settlers or Israeli forces.
OCHA pointed out the year-to-date figures do not include Friday's casualties.
"Palestinians across the occupied Palestinian territory must be protected, as required by international law, and perpetrators of violations must be held accountable," the office said. "The use of lethal force in law enforcement must be a last resort." ■
