Israeli forces shot and killed two young Palestinian men and seriously injured another in the northern part of the occupied West Bank  

Ramallah, May 8 (RHC)-- Israeli forces have shot and killed two young Palestinian men and seriously injured another in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.   The Israeli police, in a statement released on Friday, alleged that the three Palestinians were armed with makeshift Carlo-style submachine guns and knives, and they opened fire on the gate of the Salem base before being shot by border forces. 

The injured Palestinian was reportedly taken to the Emek Medical Center near the city of Afula.  There were no reports of Israeli injuries in the purported incident.

The attack came as Palestinians and Muslims worldwide are marking the International Quds Day, which falls on the last Friday of the holy fasting month of Ramadan every year and is commemorated on May 7 this year.

The International Quds Day is a legacy of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, who designated the day in solidarity with Palestinians.   Tensions are high in the East Jerusalem al-Quds neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, where dozens of Palestinians are at risk of being evicted from their homes and there have been ongoing protests over the last week.

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, said on Thursday he was concerned over the latest developments concerning eviction of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.  “I urge Israel to cease demolitions and evictions, in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law,” Wennesland said in a statement.

The UN official voiced deep concerns over a surge in tensions and violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem al-Quds, since the beginning of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

A spokesman for the Palestinian Authority said the threat from the Israeli regime to seize Palestinian homes in the neighborhood violates international law.  He pointed out that over the past few days, two Palestinians, including a woman and a child, were killed in separate incidents by Israeli military forces.  
Wennesland urged all political, religious and community leaders on all sides to stand firmly against violence, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric.   “If unaddressed, the situation could spiral out of control,” he pointed out.