West Bank riot (archives)
Photo: EPA
Palestinian injured in clash with IDF dies
Mohammed Asfour, 22, was hit by rubber bullet during West Bank protest two weeks ago in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners
A 22-year-old Palestinian who was severely injured from a rubber bullet during clashes with IDF forces in the West Bank two weeks ago died of his wounds Thursday at the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv.
Related stories:
- Op-ed: Israeli colonialism in West Bank
- 'Obama wants timetable for pullout from West Bank'
- Ministry launches 'Palestinians only' buses
Mohammed Asfour was hit with a rubber bullet during riots that erupted in his home village of Aboud in solidarity with Palestinian administrative detainees who went on a hunger strike in an Israeli prison.
Asfour was initially evacuated to a hospital in Salfit but he was later transferred to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus due to the severity of his injuries.
Four days later he was airlifted to Sourasky, where he died of his wounds Thursday morning. His funeral will be held on Friday in Aboud.
Witnesses who took part in the demonstration two weeks ago said it began as a non-violent protest by dozens of people who gathered in the village after Friday prayers. According to them, the rally was dispersed by IDF soldiers who used tear gas.
Later, they said, a group of youngsters began hurling stones at the soldiers, who responded, according to the witnesses, by firing rubber bullets and tear gas canisters. One of the rubber bullets struck Asfour in the head.
You can contact Elior Levy, Ynet's Palestinian Affairs Correspondent, at: paldesk@gmail.com
