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BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The US State Department on Tuesday called on Israel to investigate the killing of two Palestinian teenagers on May 15.

"We look to the Government of Israel to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation to determine the facts surrounding this incident, including whether or not the use of force was proportional to the threat posed by the demonstrators," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.

"We express, of course, our condolences to the families of those deceased and urge all parties to exercise restraint," Psaki said during a press briefing in Washington.

The comments come after video footage emerged that seemed to show the deaths of 15-year-old Muhammad Audah Abu al-Thahir and 17-year-old Nadim Siyam Nuwarah during a demonstration near Ramallah on the anniversary of the Nakba.

Rights groups and the PLO have said the boys were killed without posing a threat to the Israeli military, and that their deaths could amount to war crimes.

"We are closely following this incident in the video. We're seeking additional information from the Government of Israel, so we certainly have been in touch," Psaki said.