Several Palestinians today suffocated as Israeli forces raided Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron city, according to a local activist. Mohammad Awad, a local media activist, said that Israeli forces stormed the southern West Bank town and fired tear gas canisters and stun grenades towards civilian houses and vehicles, causing several to suffocate from excessive tear gas inhalation. All suffocation cases were treated at the scene. The soldiers also closed the main entrance of the town, bringing the movement of the town residents to a halt. Earlier today, a convoy of army vehicles stormed the town, where the soldiers rounded up three people and ransacked several houses, turning them upside down. Israeli forces frequently raid Palestinian houses almost on a daily basis across the West Bank on the pretext of searching for “wanted” Palestinians, triggering clashes with residents. These raids, which take place also in areas under the full control of the Palestinian Authority, are conducted with no need for a search warrant, whenever and wherever the military chooses in keeping with its sweeping arbitrary powers. Under Israeli military law army commanders have full executive, legislative and judicial authority over 3 million Palestinians living in the West Bank. Palestinians have no say in how this authority is exercised.
Source: Palestine News & Information Agency (WAFA)