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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Palestinians say teen shot and killed by IDF during Jewish West Bank pilgrimage |
| 2022-05-26 |
| [IsraelTimes] Clashes reported as IDF accompanies worshipers on monthly visit to Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus; PA says 15 Paleostinians hurt by live fire. Paleostinian officials said a 16-year-old Paleostinian died early Wednesday after being maimed during festivities with the Israel Defense Forces near a Jewish shrine in the West Bank. The Paleostinian health ministry said Ghaith Yamin was maimed by a gunshot to the head and died at a hospital. Wafa, the official Paleostinian Authority news agency, reported that the festivities erupted when Jewish worshipers, escorted by the military, arrived at Joseph’s Tomb on the outskirts of Nablus to pray. At least 15 Paleostinians were maimed by live fire, according to Wafa, during the festivities near Joseph’s Tomb, a frequent flashpoint site. Some Jews believe biblical Joseph is buried at the site, while Paleostinians say it’s the tomb of a sheikh. According to the military, hundreds of Paleostinians threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israeli forces, who fired at a suspect who hurling a Molotov cocktail. "A hit was identified," an IDF statement said. The IDF also reported troops on the ground heard gunfire, and videos posted to social media appeared to show heavy gunfire near the tomb. Jewish pilgrims are usually only allowed to visit the tomb once a month under heavy security. During these visits, Paleostinians routinely throw rocks at the troops, and frequently attack them with Molotov cocktails and gunfire. Last month the shrine underwent a major renovation under heavy guard after Paleostinians twice broke into the site and vandalized it. Some 100 Paleostinians had broken into the site, rioted, set it ablaze and smashed objects inside before they were dispersed by Paleostinian security forces and the IDF, the military said at the time. A day later, Paleostinians entered the site again, causing more damage. The area has also seen recent festivities between Paleostinian button men and IDF soldiers, who have been entering the nearby Balata refugee camp amid counterterror operations in the wake of a number of deadly terror attacks. Israeli security forces have stepped up their operations in the West Bank following a deadly wave of terror attacks inside Israel that have left 19 people dead since March 22. The raids have concentrated on the increasingly unstable Jenin area, from where several of the attackers hailed, and the military said Wednesday morning that six suspects were arrested overnight across the West Bank. At least 30 Paleostinians were killed over the same period, according to the Paleostinian Authority Health Ministry. Some were shot by Israeli soldiers while committing terror attacks, while others were engaged in |
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