Summary execution of Khalil Abu Alia, 16, and Omar Mohammed Naasan, 19, by settlers and soldiers in Al-Mughayyir

On September 3, 2026, around 22:50, a group of settlers stormed the village of Al-Mughayir, northeast of Ramallah, and attempted to steal sheep from citizens’ homes.

At 22:55, Israeli forces almost immediately stormed the village of Al-Mughayir. They fired live and rubber-coated metal bullets, stun grenades, and tear gas at citizens while they were confronting the settlers, which led to the killing of two citizens, including a minor.

The Israeli settlers went near the Grand Mosque, attacked two Palestinian homes belonging to Saleh Suleiman and Shihada Kaabneh, and stole sheep.

Israeli army snipers took positions on buildings in the centre of the village. When residents confronted the settlers while they were taking the sheep, the snipers opened live fire.

Three Palestinians were reported wounded. One was shot in the neck and another in the back. Both were taken to hospital but subsequently died.

The reported sequence was:

1. Settlers entered the village with Israeli forces.

2. They went into the built-up centre near the mosque.

3. Two Palestinian houses were attacked/entered.

4. The settlers began taking Palestinian sheep.

5. Israeli snipers positioned themselves on rooftops/buildings overlooking the area.

6. Villagers came out to confront the settlers and prevent the seizure of the animals. Some, like Abu Alia, intervened to help their neigbours assaulted by the settlers when residents heard people inside one of the occupied houses screaming while being beaten. The witness said most villagers were outside confronting the army, while Khalil and Omar were in the vicinity of their homes.

7. Israeli forces opened live fire: Khalil Abu Alia, 16, was shot in the back, while Omar al-Naasan, 19, was shot in the chest, reportedly as he emerged from his home to help his neigborhood. Both died from their wounds.

The Israeli military's version

The IDF gives a markedly different account. It says troops entered the village to secure the entry of police and a civilian who was supposedly retrieving livestock belonging to Israeli civilians. According to the military, the animals were identified through distinguishing marks.

The army says a "violent riot" then developed, with Palestinians allegedly throwing stones and concrete blocks at troops. It says soldiers fired at "key instigators" and that hits were identified. The IDF says the circumstances and its handling of the incident are being investigated.

Arrestation:

The detainee in the village of Al-Mughayir is Omar Shehadeh Abu Alia.

Names of the martyrs:

1. Khalil Rasem Khalil Shehadeh, 16 years old

2. Omar Muhammad Naji Al-Naasan, 19 years old

Statement of the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education:

"The Ministry of Education and Higher Education condemns the killing of 16-year-old Khalil Rasem Abu Alia, a tenth-grade student at Al-Mughayyir School, and 19-year-old Omar Al-Nassan, a first-year student at Birzeit University, by Israeli settlers in Al-Mughayyir, Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate. The Ministry stresses that the crime is part of the ongoing escalation of attacks by Israeli settlers and occupation forces against Palestinians, particularly children, students, schools, and universities, and constitutes a flagrant violation of the right to life, security, and education."