Violence Escalates in East Jerusalem, One Day After Palestinian Teen Killed
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Violence increased in eastern Jerusalem a day after the death of a Palestinian teen a week after being shot by Israeli troops during a demonstration.
Muhammad Abd Al-Majid Sunuqrut, 16, died Sunday morning in Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital.
Following news of the teen’s death, protests began in eastern Jerusalem, which has been the scene of demonstrations and violence since the beginning of July when a Palestinian teen was kidnapped and burned to death by Jewish Israelis in a revenge killing for the kidnap and murder of three Israeli teens, and the launch of Israel’s military operation Protective Edge. Hundreds of Palestinians have been detained during the two months of unrest.
On Sunday night, masked Palestinian rioters threw firebombs at a gas station in Jerusalem’s French Hill neighborhood located near the border between eastern and western Jerusalem, and attacked its convenience store, causing serious damage and concern that the gas pumps would explode in the flames.
Rocks also were thrown at cars with Israeli license plates, injuring two drivers, and at the Jerusalem Light Rail, which has put seven out of 23 trains out of commission in recent weeks due to rock attacks and other Palestinian violence, according to CityPass, which operates the light rail.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat condemned the violence late Sunday night, calling on police to “take strong measures against rioters”
The teen’s father told the Palestinian Maan news agency that his son was shot in the head with a rubber-coated bullet during the Sept. 1 rally in the Wadi Joz neighborhood. Abd al-Majid Sunuqrut claimed that his son was talking on his phone and not taking part in the demonstration.
Israel Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told The Associated Press that the teen was hit in the leg with a sponge-tipped bullet while throwing stones during the demonstration. He then fell and injured his head, according to reports. Following news of the teen’s death, protests began in eastern Jerusalem.
The teen’s body reportedly was scheduled to be transferred to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute for an autopsy by a Palestinian doctor.
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