Ramallah: Israeli Troops Take it Out on Children

Israeli Troops Take it Out on Children and Wound Three, Two Critically

RAMALLAH - - The Israeli occupying forces (IOF) violently confronted with the demonstrations that erupted after the extrajudicial execution of Hamas leader Dr. Abdel Aziz Al Rantisi, shooting three children and wounding them, two of them critically.

Medical sources and eyewitnesses in the Selwad refugee camp near Ramallah City said that Mohammed Hamed, 15, was shot by an Israeli soldier in the abdomen during an incursion into the refugee camp.

Doctors at Ramallah public hospital, to where Hamed was transferred, said he suffered from critical wounds due to his young age. The witnesses added that Israeli military vehicles stormed the refugee camp and confronted with the demonstrators who took to the streets following the extrajudicial execution of Hamas leader, Dr. Al Rantisi. IOF used tear gas canisters and live ammunition to disperse the demonstration.

Also near Ramallah City, another child was wounded when the Israeli soldiers opened heavy gunfire at him in the village of Deir Abu Mishaal, north of Ramallah City, medical sources and witnesses confirmed.

Sources at Al Sheikh Zayed children hospital in Ramallah said that Islam Zahran, 13, was shot critically in the head by the Israeli soldiers stationed in the guard posts near the village of Deir Abu Mishaal, as he was walking down a street in the village.

The same soldiers killed a child and wounded another two months ago while they were walking in one of the village's streets, claiming they intended to "target" the soldiers at the fortified post.

In Bethlehem, a third child was wounded near a local mosque when IOF opened fire at demonstrators there, WAFA news agency reported.

WAFA added, quoting medical sources in the city, that 17-year old Sharif Abu Sarhan was shot moderately in his right leg during the heavy confrontations that ensued after a demonstration condemning the extrajudicial execution of Al Rantisi near the Bilal Ben Rabah mosque north of Bethlehem.

Earlier in the Hebron governorate, eight citizens were reportedly wounded and two others were arrested by the Israeli forces during the wide demonstrations and confrontations between the citizens of Dura Town in Hebron and the Israeli occupying forces.

Eyewitnesses mentioned that the citizens of Dura, angered by the murder of Dr. Al Rantisi, clashed with the Israeli troops, who responded with live ammunition and tear gas canisters, resulting in the injury of eight citizens and arrest of two.

Among the wounded citizens were 14-year old Ahmad Jaradat, who was wounded with a bullet in the head, and citizen Halima Nassereddin, 50, who was wounded in the foot. Several other citizens were treated on the spot as they suffered gas suffocations.

Meanwhile, IOF imposed a tight closure on the city of Hebron, disconnecting it from the neighboring towns and villages, following widespread demonstrations against the Israeli execution of Al Rantisi, as thousands of angry citizens marched through the streets of Hebron City and the towns of Yatta, Dura, Bani Naim, Halhoul, in addition to the Al Fawwar and Al Arroub refugee camps.

These towns and refugee camps also witnessed gloomy atmospheres, as a general strike for three days silenced all the life signs in them , mourning the killing of Al Rantisi and two of his bodyguards in Gaza last night.