Israel kills Palestinian worker climbing West Bank separation wall, fifth this year

What happened

Middle East Eye reports that Israeli forces shot dead 27-year-old Palestinian Imad Haroun Ishtayeh as he climbed the West Bank separation wall near al-Ram, north of Jerusalem, attempting to enter for work. He was hit in the thigh, severing a main artery, and later died in hospital despite surgery, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

The central claim remains unconfirmed in the supplied material and should be treated as hearsay until corroborated by another reliable source or a named official. Ishtayeh was from Salem near Nablus and had previously owned a poultry shop, which he closed due to difficult economic conditions. Local sources including his cousin detailed his efforts to find work to support his family, noting he had not tried to enter the occupied territories for two years before recent attempts. This was his second crossing attempt within two days, with the fatal shooting occurring on his second try.

The Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions told Middle East Eye that Ishtayeh is the fifth Palestinian worker killed by Israeli forces this year trying to cross the separation barrier. Since 7 October 2023, the number of such killings has reportedly reached 52. The federation alleges that the policy to target Palestinian workers is systematic under recent Israeli security leadership and that soldiers have orders to shoot at workers climbing the wall.

Known from the source

• Israeli forces shot dead Imad Haroun Ishtayeh, 27, near al-Ram in the West Bank as he climbed the separation wall.
• Ishtayeh was hit in the thigh, severing a main artery, and died during surgery.
• He was from Salem near Nablus and had tried to cross the barrier twice within two days.
• He was reportedly the fifth Palestinian worker killed by Israeli forces this year attempting to cross the barrier.
• Since 7 October 2023, 52 Palestinian workers have reportedly been killed trying to reach workplaces across the barrier.

What remains unclear

A separate UN Ocha report cited by the federation notes over 290 Palestinian workers have been injured attempting such crossings since the war outbreak in October 2023, with many work permits suspended or cancelled, cutting off livelihoods for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. These conditions underline economic hardship and the heightened dangers Palestinians face in pursuing employment across the barrier.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Independent verification of Imad Ishtayeh’s death and medical details from hospital or official sources. Verification of the total number of Palestinian workers killed this year and since October 2023. Confirmation of reported orders by Israeli forces to shoot workers climbing the wall.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: Middle East Eye Gaza. Open the source.