Israeli army: Paralyzed Palestinian shot in self-defense

Israeli military said Thursday that an internal investigation found soldiers had acted in self-defense during an incident last week in occupied West Bank in which a Palestinian man was shot and left paralyzed.

man was shot in neck as Israeli troops clashed with Palestinians in a West Bank vill on Saturday.

Israeli military said “a violent riot” broke out when troops were evacuating a building that was built illegally.

Palestinian health ministry said gunshot left Haron Abu Aram, 24, quadriplegic.A statement from military spokesperson’s unit said preliminary inquiry found soldiers “faced mortal threats while carrying out enforcement activities in area of vill of At-Tuwani.”

It said commanding officer had fired warning shots in air, and as shots were fired, two Palestinians attacked commander — one grabbing him forcibly and or seizing his weapon.

As a result, a stray round struck ar Palestinian who was part of riot.

army said that a separate Military Police investigation was also underway.

Palestinians and human rights groups have criticized Israeli military for “whitewashing” cases of violence committed by its troops in West Bank and t holding soldiers accountable.

Witnesses said incident began when Israeli troops tried to stop villrs from building a home, and seized a power generator owned by Abu Aram. Critics say Israel prevents Palestinians from building houses in areas under its control in West Bank without hard-to-obtain building permits.

Palestinians claim West Bank and Gaza Strip, with a capital in east Jerusalem, for a future state. y say that Israel’s West Bank settlements — which most countries consider illegal under international law — are an impediment to a peaceful resolution to conflict and an independent Palestinian state.

(IM CREDITS:AP)