Israeli army shoots three children, abducts two in Azzoun village

Approximately 10 Israeli military vehicles invaded and took over the residential streets of Azzoun village Tuesday mid-afternoon, abducting two young men and shooting 3 teenagers with live ammunition.

Israeli invasion of Azzoun (archive)

According to eyewitnesses, over 200 Israeli soldiers, including Special Forces, entered the old city quarter around 2:45 pm from different directions, positioning themselves at various points on the narrow lanes, firing live bullets and throwing sound bombs while closing in on the home of a Palestinian man they were attempting to abduct.

 

International Human Rights Workers at the scene were able to approach the vicinity but were held back at a distance by Israeli soldiers posted at street ends. At about 3:20 pm, approximately 10 Israeli soldiers exited from an alleyway, two young handcuffed and blindfolded Palestinian men being forced along at gunpoint.

 

The purpose of the invasion was apparently to abduct 24-year old Mourad Odouan, and after surrounding his home and firing randomly throughout the area, the soldiers stormed the home.

 

The 23 year old sister of Mourad was asleep alone in one bedroom when soldiers entered, firing their guns the entire time. Human rights workers reported evidence of shots were visible in the walls, windows, clothing and ceiling.

 

The sister and mother of Mourad report that soldiers hit them and held them at gunpoint while continuing their search for Mourad.  Mourad, asleep in another bedroom in his house, was hauled from his sleep and kicked and beaten in front of his mother and sister, blindfolded and handcuffed and taken away.  Soldiers also took his brother Behah, apparently claiming that they weren’t sure which of the two brothers was Mourad.  Behah also received similar abuse, according to eyewitnesses.

 

During the Israeli invasion, the soldiers shot three teenage boys in the street: one, 16, was hit in the shoulder chest area and remains in critical condition. A second, 13, was shot in the midriff near his hip, while the third, also 13, was shot both in his arm and his calf. All were taken to hospital for emergency treatment.

 

Azzoun remains under siege by Israeli forces who have been forcing residents to stay indoors under house arrest for weeks.  Israeli tanks and jeeps invade nightly, and the village residents have been living in a constant state of terror since October.