19-year-old Palestinian shot and killed by Israeli forces in Jenin refugee camp
Jan. 29, 2017 10:34 A.M. (Updated: Jan. 29, 2017 7:43 P.M.)
▻http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=775164
BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Israeli forces shot and killed a 19-year-old Palestinian and injured several others early Sunday morning in Jenin refugee camp in the northern occupied West Bank, after clashes erupted following an Israeli army raid into the camp.
Locals identified the slain young man as 19-year-old Muhammad Mahmoud Abu Khalifa, with sources saying he was shot with a live bullet in the lower back that went through his body, emerging from his abdomen.
Medical sources could not immediately be reached to confirm the nature of his injuries.
State-run Palestinian news agency Wafa said that Abu Khalifa was left on the ground for hours before paramedics were able to evacuate his body.
At least five other Palestinian youth were injured, including one seriously, and were evacuated to Jenin hospital for treatment.
After undercover Israeli forces in a civilian vehicle infiltrated the camp, dozens of military vehicles stormed the area, sparking violent clashes that continued for several hours, according to reports.
Israeli forces heavily fired live ammunition, stun grenades, and tear gas into the camp as youth threw stones and Molotov cocktails.
Shortly after, a funeral procession was held for Abu Khalifa, with hundreds of mourners carrying his body through the streets of the camp.
An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed the clashes to Ma’an via telephone, saying that “violent rioters attacked and hurled pipe bombs” at Israeli forces, with no injuries reported among Israeli forces.
“Responding to the threat, forces fired toward main instigators,” the spokesperson added. She said that “hits were confirmed,” but did not directly confirm Abu Khalifa’s killing or the number of Palestinians to be injured.
The purpose of the hours-long raid remained unclear, as the Israeli army spokesperson said that no detentions were made in the camp. However, Muhammad’s cousins were detained in a raid into Jenin refugee camp on Thursday, with the Israeli army claiming brothers Muhammad and Ahmad Abu Khalifa were “Hamas operatives.”(...)