Palestinian shot dead by Israeli army in Qalandiya camp

A Palestinian young man was shot in the head and killed by the Israeli army this morning during a raid on the Qalandiya refugee camp, north of Ramallah.

Mahmoud Abdullah Adwan, 21, was shot with live ammunition while he stood on the rooftop of his home at around 3am local time (01.00 GMT). The Israeli army said that Adwan had thrown a makeshift explosive device at them, as they were trying to arrest another suspect.

During the raid, fierce clashes broke out between the army and Palestinians, with residents throwing stones and soldiers firing back with tear gas. Despite the clashes, the army arrested the suspect, 26-year-old Mujahed Hamed, who is a reportedly a security guard working for the Palestine Football Federation.

An Israeli spokesperson also told Anadolu Agency that another Palestinian was shot and injured in the clashes.

“There was fire and explosive attack on special forces during an operation in the camp early morning. The forces fired back and killed a Palestinian,” the spokesperson said.

“The wounded Palestinian is currently under questioning."

Following Adwan’s death, the refugee camp announced a strike. Adwan is expected to be buried after noon prayers at the Shuhada cemetery.

This is the fourth time the Israeli army has used live ammunition during its recent raids on Qalandiya camp, which is close to the flashpoint Qalandiya checkpoint.

The Palestinian Minister of Health Jawad Awad called on the international community and human rights organisations to immediately intervene and protect the Palestinians from the "random killings" of the Israeli army.

Last week a Palestinian minister, Ziad Abu Ein, died after allegedly being hit by Israeli soldiers while he was attending a peaceful demonstration in the village of Turmus'ayya in the West Bank.