NABLUS (Palestinian Territories), Feb 21 — A 16-year-old Palestinian died Monday from his wounds almost two weeks after being shot in the head by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said.
The ministry announced the death of “Montaser Mohammad Theeb Shawa, 16, of his wounds, which he sustained two weeks ago by the occupation (Israeli) bullets in Balata camp” in Nablus in the northern West Bank.
The statement added that the “bullet penetrated his head”.
Medical sources at the Rafidia hospital in Nablus said Shawa had been shot on February 8.
The Israeli army said in a statement that “on the evening of February 8... armed gunmen fired at soldiers” who secured Jewish worshippers at Joseph’s Tomb, a contested religious site near the Balata refugee camp.
The force “responded with live fire”, the Israeli statement said, adding without elaborating that a person had been hit.
Nablus has seen frequent clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants in recent months.
Since the start of this year, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has claimed the lives of 49 Palestinian adults and children, including militants and civilians.
Nine Israeli civilians, including three children, one Ukrainian civilian and a police officer have been killed over the same period, according to an AFP tally based on official sources from both sides. — AFP
