Bethlehem: Two young Palestinians were martyred Tuesday by Israeli occupation forces south of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Palestinian Ministry of Health stated in a press release that the General Authority for Civil Affairs had informed them of the deaths of the two young men after they were shot by Israeli forces south of Bethlehem.

The Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) quoted local sources, indicating that Israeli forces opened fire on the young men at the Gush Etzion settlement junction south of Bethlehem.

The Israeli occupation army has increased its operations in areas across the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. The escalation has included granting settlers the freedom to conduct raids on Palestinian lands. This development coincides with an ongoing conflict that has targeted the Gaza Strip for more than two years.