JERUSALEM (JTA) — A Palestinian teenager was shot and killed during clashes with Israeli troops at a refugee camp near Bethlehem.
Jihad Shehada al-Jaafari, 19, was shot early Wednesday morning when Israeli soldiers opened fire in the Deheishe camp after Palestinian rioters had thrown rocks and firebombs at the soldiers, the Palestinian Maan news agency reported. One Israeli soldier was injured.
“After trying in vain to disperse the crowd of attackers, our forces felt in danger and opened fire at a leader of the rioters, who was hit,” an Israel Defense Forces spokeswoman told reporters.
Jaafari, who was struck in the shoulder while watching the disturbances from his roof, according to Maan, died of internal bleeding. Israeli troops prevented rescue services from reaching him for some time, according to Palestinian sources.
