One killed as families clash in Silwan

Residents of east Jerusalem village say police, ambulances refrained from timely entry; 3 arrested.

jerusalem arabs check caption 248 88 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
jerusalem arabs check caption 248 88
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
One person was killed and at least five others were wounded in a scuffle that escalated into a gunfight between two feuding families in Silwan on Saturday night. Furious residents charged that Israeli police and Magen David Adom refrained from entering the east Jerusalem village, which is under Israeli jurisdiction, and putting an end to the battling. Red Cross ambulances eventually evacuated the casualties. According to police, large security forces entered the village after the violence subsided, and arrested three suspects for the shootings. The MDA ambulances did not receive police approval to enter the locale for security reasons, police added. According to reports, children from rival families got into a brawl on Friday night. The scuffle resumed on Saturday night, with gun-toting family members exchanging shots. One man was killed by the bullets and another was hurt after he was run over by a car. A "conciliatory committee" has since convened to restore calm to Silwan.