A senior Palestinian official was killed in a clash with Israeli forces on Wednesday.
Ziad Abu Ein died on the way to hospital after he was struck in the chest by an Israeli soldier. according to Palestinian reports. The Israeli Defense Force said it was looking into the incident.
Footage of an injured Abu Ein after he was struck:
Abu Ein led the Palestinian Authority’s organization contesting the Israeli security barrier and Israeli Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
The official was part of a protest near Turmus Aya, south of the Shiloh settlement in the northern West Bank. He inhaled tear gas as Israeli forces tried to disperse the gathering and was struck by the soldier’s helmet or a rifle butt.
Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas said “the brutal assault that led to the martyrdom” of Abu Ein was “a barbaric act that cannot be tolerated or accepted”. He said, “We will take necessary measures after the results of the investigation into the incident.”
According to Arab media, Authority minister Jibril Rajoub said security cooperation with Israel will be suspended.
Today’s protests were spurred by a confrontation in the area. Israeli residents said Palestinian stole a horse, while Palestinians claimed settlers from the Adei Ad outpost damaged cars and olive trees.
