Prisoners on way home
צילום: AP
Palestinian girl killed during ceremony honoring released prisoners
Balcony collapses on residents of West Bank village celebrating return of three men freed by Israel a gesture to Abbas; 11-year-old girl killed, at least 17 people injured
An 11-year-old Palestinian girl was killed and at least 17 people were injured Monday when a balcony collapsed in the West Bank village of Yanun during a ceremony held in honor of three prisoners who were released by Israel earlier in the day.
Eyewitnesses told Ynet that shortly after the prisoners returned to their home village, which is located near Jenin, they were taken to a local cemetery to pray at the gravesites of killed Fatah gunmen. Meanwhile, some 30 women gathered on a balcony overlooking the cemetery to watch the service.
At some point the balcony collapsed on a group of Palestinians who were celebrating the prisoners' return below; Abara Marah suffered critical wounds and died on the way to the hospital. A man who sustained injuries to his neck and pelvis is listed in very serious condition.
Additional welcoming ceremonies were held throughout the West Bank, mainly in Nablus and Yatta, near Hebron. A total of 198 prisoners were released by Israel Monday as a goodwill gesture to President Mahmoud Abbas.
"I promise we won't rest until we bring about the release of all the prisoners," Abbas said in a special rally held in honor of the freed Palestinians in Ramallah, "despite the great happiness, we know that there is also sadness over those who were left behind, 11,000 who have yet to be released."
