ISRAELI FORCES WOUND 8 AT FUNERAL OF 53-YEAR-OLD KILLED THURSDAY

Hebron, 9 Shawwal 1436/25 July 2015 (MINA) – Israeli forces injured eight Palestinians in the occupied West Bank town of Beit Ummar Thursday as clashes erupted after the funeral of Falah Abu Maria, who was shot dead in his home at dawn during an Israeli arrest raid, witnesses said.

Spokesman for a popular committee in the Hebron-area town, Mohammad Ayyad Awad, said that Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas at funeral attendees.

The mourners received light to medium injuries, and three were transferred to hospitals in Hebron for treatment, he said, Ma’an News Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

One of the ambulances on site was hit by rubber-coated steel bullets fired by Israeli forces as it left the scene, shattering the rear window, Awad added.

Israeli forces had reportedly closed the entrances leading into Beit Ummar during the funeral procession, which was attended by hundreds of town residents.

Participants chanted slogans condemning the killing of Abu Maria by Israeli forces and demanding a response to the “crimes of the occupation against the Palestinian people.”

An Israeli army spokesperson had no immediate information but told Ma’an she would look into the incident.

Abu Maria was reportedly shot twice in the chest by Israeli forces after attempting to assist his son Mohammad, 22, who had been shot by the forces as they raided the family’s home early Thursday morning, according to witnesses.

An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma’an that the forces were conducting an overnight operation in Beit Ummar Thursday.

The spokesperson said that Israeli forces were “attacked by a violent mob” when they attempted to arrest Mohammad.(T/P010/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)