Palestine Chronicle Staff
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has called on Israel, in a statement released today, to investigate the killing of a Palestinian youth in Alfuwar refugee camp in the West Bank.
Mohammed Yousef Abu hash-hash, 19, was killed on August 16, and others were injured.
The statement, in part, read: “Residents reported that large numbers of Israeli security forces entered the camp in the early hours and over the course of the day, conducting extensive search operations inside more than 200 refugee households.”
1 UNRWA is gravely concerned about the death of a young Palestine refugee and the high number of civilian injuries in Fawwar camp, Hebron
— Chris Gunness (@ChrisGunness) August 22, 2016
It added that, “Clashes between Palestinian youth and the Israeli security forces ensued. Israeli forces responded by using a range of ammunition, including … plastic-coated metal bullets (PCMBs), and large amounts of tear gas.”
UNRWA said that an unarmed 19-year old Palestine refugee from Fuwar camp was killed after being shot in the chest with live ammunition reportedly fired by an Israeli sniper stationed approximately 100 meters away.”
6. 32 of 52 injuries were found mostly in the lower body parts, from live rounds fired by the Israeli military
— Chris Gunness (@ChrisGunness) August 22, 2016
It continued, “At least 52 other camp residents suffered injuries. Thirty-two of these injuries were mostly in the lower body parts, from live rounds fired by the Israeli military,” adding “At least thirteen other camp residents had to be treated for severe tear gas inhalation, including a pregnant UNRWA teacher…”
UNRWA explained that refugees, including those injured, were not allowed to get in or out of the camp: “Israeli forces prevented an ambulance from transporting a person seeking medical help for over an hour before allowing it to pass.” Furthermore, “a curfew was enforced to keep people trapped in their homes.”
10 Israel as the occupying power has a responsibility to protect the civilian population in the West Bank, including the Palestine refugees
— Chris Gunness (@ChrisGunness) August 22, 2016
UNRWA’s statement held Israel responsible for protecting civilians in the camp, saying: “Israeli authorities, as the occupying power, have a responsibility first to protect the civilian population in the West Bank, including the Palestine refugees residing there.”
(PalestineChronicle.com)
