Relatives Mourn US Teenager Killed by Israeli Forces in West Bank

Relatives gathered to mourn the death of a Palestinian-American teenager on January 20 in the West Bank village of al-Mazra’a al-Sharqiya after he was killed by Israeli forces the day before, local media reported.

Seventeen-year-old Tawfiq Hafez Ajaq was shot by Israeli forces on January 19 near Ramallah, according to the Defense for Children International-Palestine.

In its report, the Defence for Children International said: “Tawfiq, who is a US citizen, was in his car when an Israeli settler, also in a car, arrived and began firing live ammunition from about 100 meters (328 feet) away.”

“Tawfiq drove away while the Israeli settler followed, continuing to shoot toward Tawfiq.”

“Then, an Israeli military vehicle appeared from the opposite direction and opened fire on Tawfiq’s car from a distance of about 50 to 70 meters (164 to 230 feet). Tawfiq’s car then veered off and overturned”.

Storyful has not verified these claims. The exact circumstances surrounding his death have not been verified.

According to Al Jazeera, Tawfiq was born and raised in Gretna, Louisiana, near New Orleans, and had travelled with his family to Al-Mazraa Al-Sharqiya. Credit: Palestine Post via Storyful