Israel returns bodies of 7 dead Palestinians

By Anees Barghouti

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - Israeli authorities late Friday handed over to the Palestinian Red Crescent the bodies of seven Palestinians killed by the Israeli army earlier this year.

Four of the men, who were killed by Israeli forces during alleged attacks, clashes and arrests, were from the West Bank city of Hebron.

“Their bodies were taken to Hebron hospital in preparation for burial on Saturday,” a Palestinian medical source said on condition of anonymity because he was unauthorized to speak to media.

According to Palestinian figures, Israeli authorities continue to hold the bodies of 17 Palestinians.

Last year, the Israeli government approved measures that allowed army forces to hold the bodies of Palestinians killed during alleged attacks, arguing that their funeral serve to glorify violence.

Up to 255 Palestinians have been killed since the current uptick in Israeli-Palestinian violence that began late last year.

Israel, for its part, says 42 Israelis have been killed in attacks by Palestinians over the same period.