U.S. Minor Child Killed by Israeli Forces in Nonstop Violence

The United States extends condolences for what Israel has done to one of our citizens. A child.

14-year old Orwa Hamad, a Palestinian-American, was shot in the head by Israeli forces from an "ambush" they established. Photo: Mondoweiss.net

(SILWAD, Palestine) - The United States expresses its deepest condolences to the family of a U.S. citizen minor who was killed by the Israeli Defense Forces during clashes on October 24.

Orwa Hamad was killed today.

14-year old Orwa Hammad was shot in the head in the village of Silwad.

The IDF said that soldiers were on patrol and had set up an ambush overlooking the stretch of highway when they saw the "assailant" throw the bottle.

An Israeli army spokesman told media that Israeli forces "managed to prevent an attack when they encountered a Palestinian man hurling a Molotov cocktail at them on the main road next to Silwad. They opened fire and they confirmed a hit."

They said that the soldiers opened fire on the potential bottle-thrower "in order to neutralize the threat to the lives of civilians driving on the highway."

Officials from the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem are in contact with the victim's family and are providing all appropriate consular assistance.

"We call for a speedy and transparent investigation, and will remain closely engaged with the local authorities, who have the lead on this investigation," Jen Psaki, Department Spokesperson, said in a press statement.

"We continue to urge all parties to help restore calm and avoid escalating tensions in the wake of the tragic recent incidents in Jerusalem and the West Bank."

Silwad is a Palestinian town located in the West Bank, 12 kilometers north-east of Ramallah.