PA Calls for UN Investigation Into Killing of Hebron Teen

The Palestinian Authority on Tuesday demanded that the UN form a committee to investigate the shooting of teenager Hadel al-Hashlamon, 18, who was shot three times by Israeli forces at a checkpoint in Hebron in the occupied West Bank.

The 18-year-old was shot at the checkpoint, located at the entrance of Hebron’s al-Shuhada street, after allegedly attempting to stab an Israeli soldier, according to the Israeli army.

Al-Hashlamon later died at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, where she arrived “terribly injured, and underwent surgery upon her arrival,” the hospital spokesperson told Ma’an earlier in the day.

No Israeli soldiers were injured during the incident, and no evidence has yet been presented by Israeli authorities of the alleged stabbing.

The PA reiterated calls for the urgent intervention of the international community to pressure Israel into halting crimes against unarmed Palestinians, as well as ending policies of killing with impunity carried out under military occupation.

Al-Hashlamon’s death came shortly after 21-year-oldDiyaa Abdul-Halim Talahmah was killed during clashes with Israeli forces Monday night, with contradictory reports regarding how the young man died.

The PA’s calls Tuesday came after a local activist group had released what it said were photos appearing to show Israeli soldiers aiming their weapons at al-Hashlamon, as first she faced them and afterward turned away.

Video footage of the incident revealed the teen left bleeding on the pavement, reportedly for up to 30 minutes, before being dragged by an Israeli soldier out of the camera frame, while Israeli forces and heavily armed settlers looked on.

In recent months, a number of Palestinians have been shot and injured by Israeli soldiers who alleged they attempted to carry out stabbing attacks, although Palestinians have questioned the allegations.

Adnan Dmeiri, the chief spokesperson for the PA security forces, said last month that Israel had provided no evidence that a string of Palestinians shot by Israeli soldiers — in two cases fatally — had attempted to carry out the stabbings.

Palestinian leadership is championing efforts to bring Israeli authorities to justice in the international arena, partially due to the reported lack of effective due process carried out in Israeli military courts and investigations.

(Ma’an)

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