Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian protester during clashes on Friday in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.
The ministry said the man died after being shot in the head in the village of Beit Dagan, near the northern city of Nablus. Residents there hold regular demonstrations against Israeli settlements. The official Wafa news agency identified the man as Atef Hanaisheh, 45.
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Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian protester during clashes on Friday in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.
West Bank demonstrations often turn violent, with Palestinian protesters throwing rocks and firebombs at Israeli forces, who fire tear gas, rubber-coated bullets and sometimes live ammunition to disperse them.
Nearly 500,000 Israeli settlers live in around 130 settlements and dozens of unauthorized outposts scattered across the territory. The Palestinians view the settlements as a violation of international law and an obstacle to peace, a position with wide international support.
Palestinian mourners chant anti Israel slogans while carrying the body of Atef Hanaisheh, 45 during his funeral procession in the West Bank village of Beit Dajan, east of Nablus, Friday, March 19, 2021. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian protester during clashes in the occupied West Bank. (AP PhotoNasser Nasser)
Palestinian mourners chant anti Israel slogans while carrying the body of Atef Hanaisheh, 45 during his funeral procession in the West Bank village of Beit Dajan, east of Nablus, Friday, March 19, 2021. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian protester during clashes in the occupied West Bank. (AP PhotoNasser Nasser)
Palestinian women help a fellow mourner who has fainted after taking the farewell look at the body of Atef Hanaisheh, 45 during his funeral procession in the West Bank village of Beit Dajan, east of Nablus, Friday, March 19, 2021. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian protester during clashes in the occupied West Bank. (AP PhotoNasser Nasser)
A Palestinian woman cries during the funeral procession of Atef Hanaisheh, 45, in the West Bank village of Beit Dajan, east of Nablus, Friday, March 19, 2021. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian protester during clashes in the occupied West Bank. (AP PhotoNasser Nasser)
The Israeli military said dozens of Palestinians hurled rocks at the soldiers, who responded with “riot dispersal means” and by firing into the air. It said it was looking into the reports of the death but that the cause of the injury was still unknown.
Palestinians mourn by the body of Atef Hanaisheh, 45 during his funeral procession in the West Bank village of Beit Dajan, east of Nablus, Friday, March 19, 2021. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian protester during clashes in the occupied West Bank. (AP PhotoNasser Nasser)
West Bank demonstrations often turn violent, with Palestinian protesters throwing rocks and firebombs at Israeli forces, who fire tear gas, rubber-coated bullets and sometimes live ammunition to disperse them.
The U.N. envoy for the Mideast peace process, Tor Wennesland, extended condolences to the family of the deceased and called for an investigation. “Lethal force is only a last resort under imminent threat of death or serious injury,” his office tweeted.
Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 war and the Palestinians want it to form the main part of their future state.
Palestinian mourners pray by the body of Atef Hanaisheh, 45 during his funeral procession in the West Bank village of Beit Dajan, east of Nablus, Friday, March 19, 2021. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian protester during clashes in the occupied West Bank. (AP PhotoNasser Nasser)
Nearly 500,000 Israeli settlers live in around 130 settlements and dozens of unauthorized outposts scattered across the territory. The Palestinians view the settlements as a violation of international law and an obstacle to peace, a position with wide international support.
A Palestinian woman cries during the funeral procession of Atef Hanaisheh, 45, in the West Bank village of Beit Dajan, east of Nablus, Friday, March 19, 2021. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian protester during clashes in the occupied West Bank. (AP PhotoNasser Nasser)
Palestinian mourners chant anti Israel slogans while carrying the body of Atef Hanaisheh, 45 during his funeral procession in the West Bank village of Beit Dajan, east of Nablus, Friday, March 19, 2021. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian protester during clashes in the occupied West Bank. (AP PhotoNasser Nasser)
Palestinian mourners chant anti Israel slogans while carrying the body of Atef Hanaisheh, 45 during his funeral procession in the West Bank village of Beit Dajan, east of Nablus, Friday, March 19, 2021. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian protester during clashes in the occupied West Bank. (AP PhotoNasser Nasser)
Palestinian women help a fellow mourner who has fainted after taking the farewell look at the body of Atef Hanaisheh, 45 during his funeral procession in the West Bank village of Beit Dajan, east of Nablus, Friday, March 19, 2021. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian protester during clashes in the occupied West Bank. (AP PhotoNasser Nasser)
A Palestinian woman cries during the funeral procession of Atef Hanaisheh, 45, in the West Bank village of Beit Dajan, east of Nablus, Friday, March 19, 2021. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian protester during clashes in the occupied West Bank. (AP PhotoNasser Nasser)