Israeli Soldiers Kill the Second Unarmed Palestinian in Balata in Two Days
Unarmed, Fourteen Year-Old Shot Dead in the Balata Refugee Camp during the Israeli Military's Nightly Incursion:
Military Jeeps Still Present in Balata
[Balata, Nablus] At approximately 8:15 PM this evening, 14 year-old Hussam Abu Zaytuna was shot and killed in the
cemetery of the Balata refugee camp in Nablus. International and Palestinian medical volunteers reached Hussam's body
five minutes after the shooting, but he was already dead at this time. Eyewitness volunteers (both Palestinian and
international) report that Hussam was unarmed at the time of the shooting.
Two Israeli military vehicles were seen entering Balata at 6:30 PM, and they continued to enter and exit the refugee
camp provoking the young boys who were shooting stones at the vehicles. After dark, the military vehicles turned on
their headlights and drove in the direction of the cemetery. Israeli snipers that were positioned on nearby rooftops
opened fire in the direction of the cemetery with live ammunition. It was at this time that people on the scene believe
Hussam was shot.
At this time (9:00 PM), there are confirmed reports of one house being occupied in Balata, and a second home is also
reported to be occupied. The Israeli military still maintains a presence in Balata at this time.
The killing of Hussam comes only two days after 20 year-old Yasser Khalil Tantawi, was executed by Israeli forces while
standing unarmed the streets of Balata. In the past month, approximately 30 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli
forces during their nightly incursions. While the Israeli forces may claim that they are continuing these daily
incursions to collect and kill 'wanted' men, many innocent, unarmed Palestinians such as Yasser and Hussam are being
killed.
For more information, please contact:
Henrik (medical volunteer): +972.65.473.015 Mohammed (Balata): +972.52.223.374 Shora (ISM): +972.67.254.910