The Israeli army left the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem on Monday evening, leaving one civilian dead and seven others injured. One resistance fighter was also kidnapped.

Medical sources at Beit Jala hospital told IMEMC that Qusai al-Afandi, 17, from Bethlehem was killed by Israeli gunfire.

On Monday afternoon Israeli troops invaded Bethlehem and surrounded a house located in the southern part of the city in an attempt to kidnap what the army calls “wanted Palestinians”.

Eyewitnesses told IMEMC that the Israeli troops forced journalists into a nearby house, belonging to Mohammad Abdeh, preventing them to document the attack. They added that the troops attacked residents’ homes and searched them.

Six civilians were injured during several hours of clashes between locals youth and the invading troops.

Medical sources reported that Abdul-karim al-Atrash, 19, from Deheishe refugee camp, was wounded in his head with a rubber-coated steel bullet causing a moderate injury.

The source added that Yousef Abu Srour, from Aida refugee camp was wounded in his leg, in addition to Salem Al-‘Orouj, 29, from the nearby Teqoua’ village who was wounded by live ammunition that penetrated his knee as he was walking home from work.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Za’areer 13, was hit with a live bullet in his head and a rubber-coated steel bullet in his arm. His condition was described as serious but stable after surgery in Beit Jala hospital, according to the medical source.

During the five hour attack the Israeli army used bulldozers to demolish part of Mohammad Abdeh’s home. He was kidnapped by the troops before they left Bethlehem.

A Palestinian security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told IMEMC that he believes Israeli troops were chasing three Palestinians, claiming they are wanted by the Israeli authorities.

The three were identified as Ahmad Al-Balboul from the Al-Aqsa Brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, and Mohammad Shehada and Mohammad Abdeh of the Islamic Jihad movement.

The Israelis say Mohammad Shehada has been on the “wanted list” for almost 7 years. He ran for the Palestinian Legislative Council elections in January 2006, as an independent candidate, yet he failed to make it to the parliament.

Update from
One Palestinian killed, four wounded as Israeli troops invade Bethlehem
Time 20:20

One Palestinian young man was killed and two others were injured as Israeli soldiers invade the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Monday afternoon.

Medical sources at Beit Jala hospital told IMEMC that Qusai al-Afandi, 17 from Bethlehem was killed by Israeli soldiers’ gun fire.

Local sources told IMEMC that Israeli troops surrounded a house located in the southern part of Bethlehem city in an attempt to kidnap what the army calls ‘wanted Palestinians’.

Eyewitnesses told IMEMC that the Israeli troops forced journalists into a nearby house, which belongs to Mohammad Abdeh and did not allow them to document the attack; they added that the troops are attacking residents’ homes and searching them.

Palestinian security official who spoke on condition of anonymity told IMEMC that he believes Israeli troops are after three Palestinians claimed to be wanted by the Israeli army. The three were identified as, Ahmad Al-Balboul from Al-Aqsa Brigade, the armed wing of Fatah, and Mohammad Shehada and Mohammad Abdeh of the Islamic Jihad movement.

Mohammad Shehada has been claimed wanted since almost 7 years and has ran for the Palestinian legislative council elections in January 2006, as an independent candidate, yet he failed to make it to the parliament.

The witnesses added that invading Israeli troops brought army bulldozers into the area an indication that the house being surrounded will be demolished by the army.

Local youths that are throwing stones are still clashing with invading troops; medical sources reported at least four injuries.

Medical source reported that Abdul-Kareem al-Atrash 19 from Deheishe refugee camp, was wounded in his head with a rubber-coated steel bullet causing a moderate injury.

The source added that Yousef Abu Srour, from Aida refugee camp was wounded in his leg, in additino to Salem Al-‘Orouj 29, from the nearby Tiqua village was wounded by live ammunition that penetrated his knee as he was walking home from his work.

Meanwhile, young boy, Mohammad Za’areer 13, was hit with a live bullet to his head and rubber-coated steel bullet to his arm. His condition was described as serious, but stabel after he was operated on in Beit Jala hospital, according to the medical source.

As of the time of writing this report Israeli troops are still in Bethlehem, army sharp-shooters  has taken position on roof-tops and others prevent vehicles to move in the area including ambulances.

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmail