ADOLESCENTES ASESINADOS

Two Palestinian Teenagers Killed In Iraq Burin: Army Denies Using Live Ammunition

Palestine Monitor
20 March 2010
Two teenagers were killed by Israeli fire during a demonstration in Iraq Burin, south of Nablus, yesterday. Mohammed Qadus, 16 was fatally shot in the chest, Asaud Qadus, 19, received emergency treatment after being shot in the head and died early Sunday. In both cases medical staff reported the injuries were caused by live ammunition.

The youths had been among a crowd of 60-70 protesting against the loss of their land to the Bracha settlement, which overlooks the village. The illegal settlement has annexed around 100,000 square metres of farmland.

Jeeps and an ambulance enter the village after the shootings. Medics scramble to clear rocks from their path.
Action commenced around 12.30. Clashes began soon after, with young Palestinians throwing rocks at soldiers positioned on the hill, as well as setting fire to tires in the road. Soldiers initially responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

Subsequently, IDF forces entered the village with several jeeps, whereupon violence continued on the streets. According to medical staff, Mohammed and Asaud were shot while fleeing from jeeps. Maroof, an ambulance man from Project Hope witnessed Mohammed’s shooting; “a sniper shot him in the heart”, he told us. He went on to claim that IDF forces held up the medics for around five minutes, preventing them from accessing the injured youths. Both were eventually taken to the Specialty Hospital Nablus. Mohammed was pronounced dead soon after. Asaud remained in intensive care for several hours. He died early Sunday.

Mohammed’s aunt denied that her nephew was involved in the demonstration. "He was on his way home from the shop after buying ice-cream."

Dr. Mahmoud Hammad described what he saw; "it’s the first time i’ve seen this type of injury. With Mohammed he has a small regular inlet in the chest area, then the outlet through the back. We didn’t find the bullet, but the outlet is irregular and large and could not have been caused by a rubber bullet. In the second case the inlet is in the forehead. The bullet still inside.”


Photo by Salma aDeb’i B’Tselem
X-Ray showing live round in Asaud’s skull
An army spokesman denied that live ammunition was used, although medical experts declared the nature of the young men’s injuries meant they could not have been caused by rubber bullets. An IDF spokesman reported “two injuries, neither fatal, as a result of normal riot dispersal means.” An official statement went on to claim "the Palestinians were hurt by rubber bullets used during the riot. Live fire was not used." Colonel Itzik Bar will chair an investigation later today.


Photo by Salma aDeb’i B’Tselem
Exit wound in Mohammed’s back
Iraq Burin is now under a curfew. Soldiers have occupied the village until further notice. Three youths were arrested.