Palestinian medical sources in the Gaza Strip reported on Friday that a Palestinian youth was killed by Israeli army fire, and three others were wounded, when the army invaded an area close to Juhr Al Deek, east of Gaza City.
The sources identified the slain youth as Mohammad Wadi, 17, from Al Boreij refugee camp. His body and his three wounded friends were moved to the Al Aqsa Hospital.
Local sources reported that Israeli soldiers invaded the area and opened fire at children who were hunting birds. Troops later kidnapped four children, including two brothers.
The two brothers were identified as Ahmad Khader Sa’doun, 16, and Mohammad, 15. One of them was also wounded and was moved to an Israeli hospital.
The Israeli Radio claimed that the army invaded the area after a group of Palestinians approached the border fence in Nahal Oz area, and that the Palestinians intended to plant an explosive charge.
The army admitted to killing one and kidnapping three others. There was no mention of ‘locating’ the claimed explosive.
The army prevented Palestinian medics from approaching the area in an attempt to evacuate the casualties.
Local sources reported that there were no resistance fighters in the area, and that the persons who were reportedly close to the border were fishermen.
Palestinian killed by Israeli fire in Gaza
Published yesterday (updated) 13/11/2009 18:31
Gaza – Ma'an – Israeli forces killed a young Palestinian man and injured three others in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday.
Two brothers were hurt, medics said, adding that the Johr Ad-Dik-area shooting left another Palestinian hospitalized.
An Israeli military spokeswoman confirmed that one Palestinian was killed during the incident, but would not comment on the hospitalized youth's condition. Three others were being questioned, she said.
There were conflicting reports on what led to the incident, none of which could be independently confirmed.
Palestinian witnesses said the group was on a hunting trip near the border east of Al-Bureij refugee camp when Israeli forces opened fire. Local medics said the fire was directed at the youths.
Israeli media reported that troops entered the Johr Ad-Dik area for a short while, where they located a group of men near the Nahal Oz crossing. They were planting an explosive device, according to these reports.
In what appeared to be a third explanation, the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed responsibility for shooting an Israeli soldier northeast of Johr Ad-Dik.
In a statement received just before 4pm, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades said the attack came in response to the "continuous Israeli crimes against Palestinians, especially in Jerusalem."
The one youth confirmed dead was identified as 22-year-old Mustafa Muhammad Wadi. Following reports that a second youth died en route to Israel's Barzilai Hospital, a hospital spokesman told Ma'an a patient named Ahmad was receiving treatment, but refused to elaborate.
As for the three in custody, sources identified two as Ahmad Khader Sa'doon, 16, and his brother Muhammad, 15. They were both reportedly injured, as well. Officials said the Gaza City emergency and medical services department would coordinate the youth's return to Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that a projectile fired from the Gaza Strip struck an open area in the Sdot Negev region, causing no injuries or damage.
Two brothers were hurt, medics said, adding that the Johr Ad-Dik-area shooting left another Palestinian hospitalized.
An Israeli military spokeswoman confirmed that one Palestinian was killed during the incident, but would not comment on the hospitalized youth's condition. Three others were being questioned, she said.
There were conflicting reports on what led to the incident, none of which could be independently confirmed.
Palestinian witnesses said the group was on a hunting trip near the border east of Al-Bureij refugee camp when Israeli forces opened fire. Local medics said the fire was directed at the youths.
Israeli media reported that troops entered the Johr Ad-Dik area for a short while, where they located a group of men near the Nahal Oz crossing. They were planting an explosive device, according to these reports.
In what appeared to be a third explanation, the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed responsibility for shooting an Israeli soldier northeast of Johr Ad-Dik.
In a statement received just before 4pm, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades said the attack came in response to the "continuous Israeli crimes against Palestinians, especially in Jerusalem."
The one youth confirmed dead was identified as 22-year-old Mustafa Muhammad Wadi. Following reports that a second youth died en route to Israel's Barzilai Hospital, a hospital spokesman told Ma'an a patient named Ahmad was receiving treatment, but refused to elaborate.
As for the three in custody, sources identified two as Ahmad Khader Sa'doon, 16, and his brother Muhammad, 15. They were both reportedly injured, as well. Officials said the Gaza City emergency and medical services department would coordinate the youth's return to Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that a projectile fired from the Gaza Strip struck an open area in the Sdot Negev region, causing no injuries or damage.
