Israeli Forces Shoot, Injure 16 During Funeral of Slain Palestinian

Israeli forces shot and injured nine Palestinian youths with live fire, and seven more with rubber-coated steel bullets during clashes that erupted following the funeral of a young man who was killed by Israeli forces earlier on Thursday in the town of Qatanna northwest of Jerusalem City, locals said.

Locals said at least 40 others suffered from severe tear gas inhalation and had to be treated by medics after Israeli forces attacked the funeral of Yahiya Yusri Taha, 21, who was killed after being shot in the head by Israeli forces hours earlier.

The funeral set off from the Palestine Medical Center to Taha’s home where his family said their final goodbyes, before heading to the town’s cemetery where he was laid to rest.

Mourners held Palestinian flags and chanted slogans against “Israeli crimes and violations” against Palestinians.

Israeli forces opened live fire and rubber-coated steel bullets at youth who threw rocks and empty bottles in an attempt to prevent Israeli forces from entering the town.

Taha was shot dead after forces stormed the Palestinian town at dawn, ransacking homes and detaining several residents.

During the earlier raid, clashes erupted throughout the streets of Qatanna between young locals and Israeli soldiers. Locals said that the forces fired live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, and tear gas at the group.

During the clashes, Taha was shot in the head and left on the ground bleeding for more than an hour-and-a-half while Israeli soldiers denied Palestinian ambulances access to the young man to administer medical treatment, locals said.

The raid came as part of an ongoing arrest campaign carried out by Israeli military forces throughout the occupied Palestinian territory.