WHO condemns killing of Palestinian medic by IDF troops

The World Health Organization condemns the killing of a Palestinian medic by Israeli forces near the West Bank city of Bethlehem during overnight clashes.

Gerald Rockenschaub, director of WHO for the West Bank and Gaza, says that “health workers provide critical care and save lives,” and “their protection must be ensured.”

“Health care is not a target,” he says.

Sajid Muzher, an 18-year-old emergency medical worker, was shot overnight while in uniform, tending to Palestinians wounded during clashes with the Israeli army in Dheisheh refugee camp near Bethlehem, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Muzher was hit in the abdomen and rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, the ministry said.

The ministry said Israeli soldiers shot Muzher after stones were thrown at them during an arrest raid.

The Palestinian Medical Relief Society confirmed Muzher was working with them, saying in a statement he was shot while trying to treat a person wounded in clashes.

The IDF declined to comment on Muzher’s death, saying only that troops were responding to a “violent riot” in the area.

— Agencies