Military police open probe into death of 11-year-old Palestinian boy by IDF fire

Relative who reportedly witnessed incident says youth did not participated in violent protest against Israeli army in Hebron.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF, BEN HARTMAN, REUTERS
Palestinian protesters hurl stones towards IDF troops during clashes at a protest against the Israeli offensive in Gaza, in the West Bank City of Hebron August 9, 2014. (photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian protesters hurl stones towards IDF troops during clashes at a protest against the Israeli offensive in Gaza, in the West Bank City of Hebron August 9, 2014.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The Military Police have opened an investigation into the shooting death of Khalil al-Anati, 11, by soldiers responding to a violent protest outside Hebron on Sunday.
According to Palestinian sources, his death is the third at IDF hands in the last three days.
On Friday Ahmad al-Kutri, 20, was killed by IDF fire from a .22 caliber bullet during a violent demonstration outside Ramallah and the Psagot settlement. In Hebron, the IDF shot Nader Edres, 43, in the chest Friday as he stood in the middle of a violent demonstration in Hebron near the Policeman’s Checkpoint, according to Palestinian sources. He died on Saturday.
On Sunday the IDF opened fire at Palestinians during clashes in the village of Al-Fawar outside Hebron.
“Forces opened fire towards main instigators [of the disturbance], identifying a hit,” the military spokesman said in a statement. “Initial indication suggests that unfortunately a Palestinian boy was killed by the fire. The circumstances are being reviewed.”
Youssef al-Anati said Khalil, his nephew, was not taking part in the clashes.
“Khalil was standing outside and at a distance some kids were throwing stones at the Israeli army,” Anati told Reuters. “Suddenly Khalil collapsed to the ground and we rushed to him; he was all covered in blood.”
The local hospital said Khalil had been hit in the back with a live bullet.
Separately police are investing reports of a “price-tag” attack in the Palestinian village of Yassout in Samaria.
Vandals believed to be Jewish extremists tried to torch a car and scrawled the words “price tag” on it.
Judea and Samaria police said so far no arrests have been made and that the investigation has been handed over to the special anti-nationalist crimes task force.
Near the village of Salfit police said they arrested a Palestinian suspect aged 23 from the village as he was about to throw a Molotov cocktail at them.
According to Judea and Samaria District Spokesman Dudi Ashraf, a call was placed to the 100 dispatch line reporting rock throwers near the village of Rowabi.
A police cruiser was sent to the scene and the officer got out and began to chase a Palestinian man above him on a hilltop. As the officer approached, the man attempted to light a Molotov cocktail to throw at him, Ashraf said, but he was arrested.
Outside the Beit El settlement police arrested a 15-year-old Palestinian in possession of a home-made pistol. Ashraf said a security guard from the settlement drove to the gate of Beit El following a report of a rock-thrower and held the teenager until police could arrive. The teenager, from a nearby village, was arrested.