Palestinian Teen Dies in Clash

05/10/2002| IslamWeb

Israeli occupation troops enforcing a curfew clashed with dozens of young Palestinian stone-throwers Saturday, and a 14-year-old boy was killed by occupation army fire, doctors said . Residents said more occupation soldiers and tanks were deployed Saturday in Nablus, the West Bank's largest city, and in adjacent refugee camps.

Nablus has been under almost continuous curfew since mid-June, when Israel reoccupied most West Bank towns in response to two resistance bombings by Palestinian activists.

Many Nablus residents routinely defy the curfew, emerging from their homes when they do not see occupation soldiers in the area. Many children attend school and occupation troops often ignore them.

However, there also have been clashes, mostly involving children and teenagers who throw stones at tanks and draw Israeli occupation troops into firing tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds.

Two such clashes erupted Saturday: one in the center of Nablus and the second in the Al Ein refugee camp near the city.

Fourteen-year-old Amar Hashem was killed by a shot to the head in the refugee camp, doctors said. Residents in downtown Nablus also heard gunshots.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

On Friday, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy was killed in a West Bank village when occupation soldiers fired at stone throwers, and a 12-year-old boy was gravely wounded by occupation army fire in Nablus.

PHOTO CAPTION

Masked Palestinian activists from the militant Hamas group run down the street in Jabalya refugee camp, the Gaza Strip , Friday, Oct. 4, 2002. About 3,000 Palestinians vowed to continue their struggle against Israel and demonstrated against a U.S. congressional measure that urged recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Green flags and headbands read: "There is no God but Allah." (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)