IDF investigating whether troops injured youth
Army opens investigation into B'Tselem rights group claim soldiers fired tear gas at rioting youths in Jilazun refugee camp, wounded 13-year-old
The Military Prosecution is looking into an incident that occurred nearly a fortnight ago, in which IDF troops allegedly severely wounded a 13-year-old Palestinian youth.
The B'Tselem human rights group says that on Friday, August 1st, soldiers fired a tear gas canister to disperse a crowd of Palestinians who were throwing rocks. The incident took place in the Jilazun refugee camp, located north of Ramallah.
The organization says the army also fired rubber-coated steel bullets towards the youths, in addition to the tear gas.
B'Tselem asserts however that the youth who was wounded, Yazen Yusuf Abed al-Rahman, had not been taking part in the riot and was watching the proceedings from afar with a group of friends. The group said al-Rahman was a guest at a nearby wedding.
The organization said a soldier fired the gas grenade at the youth from a distance of 100 feet, hitting him directly in the face.
Following the complaint filed by B'Tselem, the Military Police has launched an investigation into the incident.
The Jilazun camp said that six other people were wounded in the incident, including the groom.
The IDF Spokesman's Office said in response that the army is familiar with the incident and confirmed that the Military Prosecution was examining the circumstances to determine whether a criminal investigation is necessary.
Ali Waked contributed to this report
