This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/16/world/middleeast/israeli-forces-kill-palestinian-in-west-bank-confrontation.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Israeli Forces Kill Palestinian in West Bank Confrontation Israeli Soldiers Kill Palestinian at Barrier
(about 7 hours later)
JERUSALEM — Israeli forces fatally shot a Palestinian teenager during a confrontation along the West Bank barrier on Tuesday, underscoring the potential for spiraling violence after weeks of simmering restiveness in the area. JERUSALEM — Israeli forces fatally shot a Palestinian teenager during a confrontation along the West Bank barrier on Tuesday, underscoring the potential for spiraling violence after weeks of simmering unrest in the area.
Two more Palestinians, both men in their early 20s, were fatally shot in recent days along Gaza’s border with Israel, one of them in disputed circumstances. The use of live ammunition against unarmed protesters in the West Bank has become less common after years of relative stability.Two more Palestinians, both men in their early 20s, were fatally shot in recent days along Gaza’s border with Israel, one of them in disputed circumstances. The use of live ammunition against unarmed protesters in the West Bank has become less common after years of relative stability.
But disturbances have increased across the West Bank since mid-November, when Israel embarked on a fierce eight-day military campaign against the rocket-launching infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, controlled by the militant group Hamas. The rising tensions also come after years of stagnation in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and against the background of a dire financial crisis that has prevented the Palestinian Authority, the interim self-rule body in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, from paying tens of thousands of government workers their full salaries on time.But disturbances have increased across the West Bank since mid-November, when Israel embarked on a fierce eight-day military campaign against the rocket-launching infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, controlled by the militant group Hamas. The rising tensions also come after years of stagnation in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and against the background of a dire financial crisis that has prevented the Palestinian Authority, the interim self-rule body in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, from paying tens of thousands of government workers their full salaries on time.
With Israeli commentators speculating about the prospect of a third Palestinian intifada, or uprising, the military says it has been acting with restraint in order to avoid escalating tensions further.With Israeli commentators speculating about the prospect of a third Palestinian intifada, or uprising, the military says it has been acting with restraint in order to avoid escalating tensions further.
The teenager killed on Tuesday was identified as Samir Ahmad Awwad, 16, from the village of Budrus, in the Ramallah district of the West Bank. Muhammad Marar, the head of the village council, told the Palestinian independent news agency Maan that a group of students leaving the village high school after an examination threw stones at Israeli soldiers gathered nearby and that the soldiers responded with live fire.The teenager killed on Tuesday was identified as Samir Ahmad Awwad, 16, from the village of Budrus, in the Ramallah district of the West Bank. Muhammad Marar, the head of the village council, told the Palestinian independent news agency Maan that a group of students leaving the village high school after an examination threw stones at Israeli soldiers gathered nearby and that the soldiers responded with live fire.
A spokesman for the Israeli military said that several Palestinians had approached the security fence and damaged it in an attempt to cross. He added that soldiers at the scene “responded in order to prevent an infiltration” and that live fire was used.A spokesman for the Israeli military said that several Palestinians had approached the security fence and damaged it in an attempt to cross. He added that soldiers at the scene “responded in order to prevent an infiltration” and that live fire was used.
Citing witnesses, Palestinian activists said that Mr. Awwad was walking away from light clashes that had erupted by the barrier when he was hit from behind by three bullets in his leg, head and torso. The activists distributed photographs of the boy’s corpse.Citing witnesses, Palestinian activists said that Mr. Awwad was walking away from light clashes that had erupted by the barrier when he was hit from behind by three bullets in his leg, head and torso. The activists distributed photographs of the boy’s corpse.
Budrus lies adjacent to the barrier, a system of fences, walls, razor wire and patrol roads that Israel has built over the last decade with the stated purpose of keeping Palestinian suicide bombers out of Israeli cities. However much of it cuts through West Bank territory and Budrus became an early symbol of Palestinian popular resistance against the barrier. Activists held regular protests as it was being built and caused the Israeli planners to reroute it so as to take in less of the village land. Budrus lies adjacent to the barrier, a system of fences, walls, razor wire and patrol roads that Israel has built over the last decade with the stated purpose of keeping Palestinian suicide bombers out of Israeli cities. However, much of it cuts through West Bank territory and Budrus became an early symbol of Palestinian popular resistance against the barrier. Activists held regular protests as it was being built and caused the Israeli planners to reroute it so as to take in less of the village land.
In another sign of growing unrest, the Palestinian news media reported this week that gunmen affiliated with the mainstream Fatah party led by the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, had been marching with weapons in some West Bank refugee camps in recent days, calling on the authority to return weapons it confiscated under a security campaign more than a year ago and demanding to be employed as public servants.In another sign of growing unrest, the Palestinian news media reported this week that gunmen affiliated with the mainstream Fatah party led by the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, had been marching with weapons in some West Bank refugee camps in recent days, calling on the authority to return weapons it confiscated under a security campaign more than a year ago and demanding to be employed as public servants.
On Friday, Israeli forces shot to death a Palestinian man and wounded another near the fence separating Gaza and Israel. Witnesses said that a group of Palestinians had approached the fence, which Israel forbids on security grounds. Israeli military officials said soldiers had acted in accordance with the rules of engagement and fired at the legs of protesters who were trying to damage the fence. A Palestinian farmer died hours after being shot near the Gaza border on Monday, but the Israeli military denied any involvement in that incident. On Friday, Israeli forces shot to death a Palestinian man and wounded another near the fence separating Gaza and Israel. Witnesses said that a group of Palestinians had approached the fence, which Israel forbids on security grounds. Israeli military officials said soldiers had acted in accordance with the rules of engagement and fired at the legs of protesters who were trying to damage the fence.
A Palestinian farmer died hours after being shot near the Gaza border on Monday, but the Israeli military denied any involvement in that episode.
Underlining Israel’s security concerns along its border with Gaza, the Israeli military said on Tuesday that its soldiers had discovered the shaft of a tunnel leading from Gaza into Israeli territory and that it had been constructed for the purpose of attacking Israelis.Underlining Israel’s security concerns along its border with Gaza, the Israeli military said on Tuesday that its soldiers had discovered the shaft of a tunnel leading from Gaza into Israeli territory and that it had been constructed for the purpose of attacking Israelis.