IDF denies killing Palestinian teen after claims he was beaten in chase

While the IDF reported that the teen fainted and died without any physical contact from soldiers, Palestinian media claimed he was beaten to death by the IDF.

By TZVI JOFFRE
A masked Palestinian teenager throws a stone at Israeli soldiers (photo credit: REUTERS)
A masked Palestinian teenager throws a stone at Israeli soldiers
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The IDF has denied killing a Palestinian teenager, after Palestinian media claimed that he was beaten to death by Israeli forces after a car chase on Saturday night.
The IDF responded to reports about stones being thrown at Israeli vehicles near Turmus Ayya north of Ramallah on Saturday. Forces who arrived there found two suspects who began running from the scene.
"It seems that during the escape attempt, one of the suspects lost consciousness, fainted and injured his head," said the IDF Spokesperson's Unit in response to the incident. "He was not hit by IDF soldiers. The forces at the scene as well as military medical forces provided first aid to the wounded. After prolonged resuscitation operations, the suspect's death was declared."
 

The IDF's Arabic-language spokesperson tweeted a photo from the scene showing Israeli forces treating the teenage along with the IDF's report of the incident, adding "Do not believe the lies of the Palestinian media!"
Palestinian media claimed that a Palestinian teenager from the village of Yatma near Nablus was killed by Israeli security forces on Sunday morning in the West Bank north of Ramallah after a car chase, with some reports including images of an empty vehicle with Palestinian license plates.
While the Palestinian WAFA news agency reported that he was beaten by Israeli security forces, other sources reported that he had been shot. The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced on Sunday morning that the teenager had signs of violence and beating on the back of his neck.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the international community to condemn the incident, calling it a "heinous crime."
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad called for an escalation in the West Bank and "starting practical steps in the program of the national popular struggle" in response to the incident.
Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.


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