Palestinian child falls to death in Israeli chase

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – A 7-year-old Palestinian child died Thursday while being chased by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, according to the Health Ministry.

A ministry statement said Rayyan Suleiman, from the town of Tuqu near Bethlehem city, had fallen from a height while running away from Israeli soldiers.

Medics had failed to save his life and he was pronounced dead shortly after being admitted to Beit Jala Hospital, the statement said.

The Israeli army, for its part, denied any link to the child’s death.

A military statement said Israeli forces ran into Tuqu town to search for stone-throwers, saying that no clashes took place during the searches and no weapons or riot dispersal methods were used.

On Wednesday, four Palestinians were killed and dozens injured by Israeli army fire during clashes in the West Bank city of Jenin.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar