Ref: 02/2023

Date: 4 Jan 2023

Time: 09:00 GMT

Yesterday at dawn, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed a Palestinian child and wounded another after opening fire at them during IOF’s incursion into Dheisheh refugee camp in Bethlehem. This is the second child killed by IOF within 24 hours, reflecting IOF’s loose shooting standards and excessive use of force against Palestinian civilians.

According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), at approximately 04:30 on Tuesday, 03 January 2023, IOF accompanied by Mista’arvim members moved into Dheisheh refugee camp, southwest of Bethlehem, from different sides and stationed in the eastern side of the camp. The soldiers raided several residential houses, topped the roofs of high buildings, turned them into sniper barracks and arrested ‘Anan Sarabita from his house. Meanwhile, violent confrontations broke out with dozens of children and young men as IOF fired live and rubber-coated metal bullets and teargas canisters at the protesters. As a result, 2 children were wounded and taken to Beit Jala Governmental Hospital: one was identified as Adam ‘Esam Shaker ‘Ayyad (15) who was wounded with a live bullet in the chest and announced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

An eyewitness said to PCHR’s fieldworker that, at approximately 05:00, 5 children gathered in the eastern side of the camp and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed on the roof of a multi-storey building in the area. The eyewitness saw the soldiers shooting at the five children as well as another group of young men, who gathered in the area.  He then saw 2 children falling on the ground as they were around 50 meters away from the building where the soldiers were stationed. The two injured children were taken via a civilian car to Beit Jala Governmental Hospital and the eyewitness later learnt from media that one of the children died and was identified as Adam ‘Esam ‘Ayad.

PCHR condemns IOF’s continuous escalation and commission of more killings against Palestinians.  PCHR reiterates its call upon the international community to take immediate action to end IOF crimes and protect Palestinian civilians.