Bethlehem: Israeli army shoots at demonstrators, a young Palestinian dies
Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Israeli security forces killed a Palestinian protester of 19 overnight in Dheisheh refugee camp, not far from Bethlehem, in the West Bank. Medical sources also added that there are several injured among the camp residents; the Israeli army says one soldier was wounded. The victim is Jihad al-Jafari, a supporter of the Fatah movement, linked to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas; the young man was hit by a bullet in the chest and died shortly after.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said that a group of
Palestinians began to throw stones and incendiary devices at some of the
soldiers stationed in the area "for a military operation." A soldier
was injured in the attack. Feeling attacked and threatened, continues the
military spokeswoman, the troops opened fire "at the leader of the rioters, who was hit".
Witnesses report that the young man has been reached by the bullets while
"stood on the roof of their parents"; the Israeli army would have
"prevented doctors from reaching the wounded in time." Al-Jafari
would have died before reaching the hospital of al-Yamama. However, there is no
official confirmation and also on the Israeli side leaked only a few details.
The overnight clash is a further sign of growing tension between Israelis and Palestinians, fueled in recent months by targeted attacks and reprisals that have caused deaths and injuries on both sides. Moreover, since the war in Gaza last summer, there have been several attacks in Israel carried out by "lone wolves", individual persons not belonging to groups and organizations. In response, the Israeli army and police have carried out operations in the refugee camps and in the homes of Palestinians in the West Bank, arresting dozens of people.
According to the Palestinian Prisoners Society, the
Israeli security forces have arrested at least 350 Palestinians in the month of
January.
The increased tension coincided with protests by Jewish settlers who wanted to
pray (and occupy) the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, in violation of the status quo
of the city.
Peace talks, sponsored by the United States, between Israel and Palestine broke down last April and now seem to have been sidelined. In recent months, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has launched a series of unilateral actions at the United Nations, aimed at securing an end to the Israeli occupation in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and the official recognition of the Palestinian state.
.png)
