From the Palestine Solidarity Project (PSP), Feb.9:

Israeli Occupation Forces Shoot 6 Children in Beit Ommar
After prayer today at approximately 11:30, residents of Beit Ommar held a non-violent demonstration against the Israeli construction work that is threatening the structure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. There were similar demonstrations across the West Bank today in what has become a growing movement protesting Israeli excavation of the holy site. At least three Humvees and four jeeps of the Israeli Occupation Forces invaded the village and attacked the demonstrators without provocation. For six hours, the IOF shot large amounts of teargas, Rubber-coated steel bullets, and live ammunition at youth.They stopped Palestinians in their cars in the street and used the cars, with Palestinians trapped inside, as shields while shooting. Six children between the ages of 9 and 16 were shot with live ammunition, including one straight through the thigh and another in the head. Both of them are in critical condition. A Palestinian member of PSP was shot in the leg with a rubber-coated steel bullet from close range while helping Eyad Sabarneh, age 12, who had been shot through the thigh.

The most serious injuries were to the following youth:

Moayed Sabarneh, age 9, shot in the lower leg with live ammunition.
Eyad Sabarneh, age 12, shot through the thigh with live ammunition.
Nassim Khaleyl, age 14, shot in the head with live ammunition.
Wa’el Khaleyl, age 16, shot in the lower leg with live ammunition.

The names of the two other children shot with live ammunition are unknown at this time. Dozens of people were also injured by rubber-coated steel bullets.

Though the IOF often uses young people throwing stones at fully armored vehicles as an excuse to attack them, today’s force was especially violent. PSP will send updates on the conditions of the injured as the information becomes available.

See our last post on Israel/Palestine, and on the wars for the Temple Mount.