The United Kingdom today called for a swift and thorough investigation into the death of a seven-year-old Palestinian boy on Thursday, after his father said he had died of heart failure while being chased by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank.
Rayyan Yaser Suleiman was coming home from school with other pupils in the village of Tuqu when troops gave chase, and he died on the spot from fear, his father Yasser said.
Earlier, Palestinian health officials said Rayyan had died on Thursday after falling from a significant height while running away from Israeli soldiers.
A medical official who inspected the boy’s body told Reuters that it bore no sign of physical trauma and that the death appeared consistent with heart failure.
Consulate General in Jerusalem said in a press statement that it was “deeply saddened” by the death of seven-year-old Rayyan on Thursday.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to his family & join others in calling for a swift and thorough investigation of this tragic incident.”
Israeli forces have carried out dozens of violent raids in the occupied West Bank in recent months, killing more than 80 Palestinians so far this year, and injuring hundreds.
Source: Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA)