13-yr-old Palestinian youth killed after shooting fireworks towards police in volatile Shuafat refugee camp

Israel Border Police shot and killed a 13-year-old boy in the Shuafat refugee camp near Jerusalem on Tuesday night. 

The young teen, along with several other youths, had been shooting fireworks in the direction of the border fence, where soldiers were stationed due to an earlier disturbance in which several Molotov cocktails were thrown over the border fence and at Israel Border Police observation posts. 

Video of the incident showed the young teen, identified as Rami Hamdan Alhouli, pointing a firework in the general direction of the border, and being shot just as the firework launches from his hand. 

ראמי חמדאן בן 13 ממחנה הפליטים שועפאט ירה זיקוק ונורה על ידי שוטר. מצבו אנוש. כאן תיעוד של ירי הזיקוק והירי בילד.
שכל אחד ישפוט בעצמו אבל לדעתי הזיקוק לא כוון ולא סיכן אף שוטר. pic.twitter.com/Mldr3qyXYy

— نير حسون Nir Hasson ניר חסון (@nirhasson) March 12, 2024

Alhouli was taken to Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus where he was later pronounced dead. 

Local Palestinians said the youth were launching fireworks as part of Ramadan celebrations. The Border Police said the fireworks were directed at them, and they fired in response to the danger. 

The Israel Police issued the following statement: “During a violent disturbance in the Shuafat refugee camp, a single shot was fired by a Border Police soldier at a suspect who endangered the forces after he launched fireworks at them, aiming directly at them. The disorderly conduct was dispersed and the suspect was arrested and sent for medical treatment. There were no casualties to our forces.”  

“Regular and covert Border Patrol forces are operating at the scene following violent disturbances that occurred last night, during which Molotov cocktails and explosives were thrown at the forces,” the statement read.

The Police Investigations Unit announced it would open a case to examine the incident further.

Shuafat has been the site of many previous riots and disturbances, including a riot on Monday night that involved Molotov cocktails being thrown and fireworks being launched toward the Border Police. Several terrorists in recent terror attacks have hailed from Shuafat.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said he “backs the Border Police fighters who are currently operating at this hour and risking their lives against dozens of Arab rioters in Shuafat. I salute the fighter who killed the terrorist who tried to fire fireworks at him and the forces - this is exactly how we should act against terrorists - with determination and precision.” 

Also on Tuesday evening, Border Police engaged a group of five suspects near Ramot, who attempted to throw Molotov cocktails at cars driving along Route 436. Border Police fired at the group, killing two and wounding three others. The police confiscated a bag with multiple bottles of Molotov cocktails from the suspects.