IDF probes death of Palestinian apparently shot in the back

The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday said it had opened an investigation into the death of a 22-year-old Palestinian man in the West Bank after a video surfaced appearing to show him being shot in the back amid a confrontation with soldiers.

The December 4 security-camera footage, obtained from a local restaurant in the town of Tulkarem, shows Mohammed Habali walking in the road holding a long stick under his arm.

Habali and several other men are seen standing or walking along the road away in the same direction — sometimes looking back and gesturing — apparently at Israeli troops. No soldiers are seen in the video.

After turning away from the direction where the soldiers seem to be, Habali is then apparently shot from behind and falls down on his face.

In a statement Sunday, the military confirmed that it was conducting an “operational activity” in Tulkarem last week when dozens of Palestinians began hurling stones at the soldiers. It gave no further details on the operation, but said that the military often carries out arrest raids in the West Bank.

The army said that soldiers responded to the stone throwers with “riot dispersal means” and live fire.

It said military police are now investigating the shooting. It gave no details on when the probe would be completed.