Three IDF battalions have been operating since yesterday (16.8.16) in the Palestinian al-Fawwar refugee camp south of the West Bank city of Hebron. In the course of the operation, clashes ensued between the Israeli troops and Palestinian residents. Palestinian sources said that a 17-year-old Palestinian teenager was killed and another 45 people were injured. IDF sources told TV7 however, that crowd dispersal means were used and that selective shots of rubber bullets were directed at the legs of 23 Palestinians, and that they were not aware of any fatalities. Dr. Walid Zalum, director of the Palestinian’s government hospital in Hebron, said the teenager, who he identified as Abu Hashash, was dead upon his arrival at the hospital. “Unfortunately, the martyr Mohammad Abu Hashhash arrived dead after being shot by a live bullet in the left side of his chest, directly above the heart, (that entered) from his back,” said Dr. Zalloum.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Office stated that “in the course of the military operation, there were several flashpoints of clashes with Palestinians, who threw stones, cinder blocks and makeshift bombs at the troops. There were no casualties among the IDF troops.” The statement further revealed that two handguns were seized, as well as a commando knife, stun grenades, bullets, and military gear including combat vests, helmets and canteens.