Palestinian killed in clashes with Israeli security forces on 15th anniversary of Yasser Arafat’s death
- Palestinian medical sources identified the man as 22-year-old Omar al-Badawi, who was hit in the chest with live fire at Al Arroub refugee camp
Clashes erupted between Palestinians and Israeli forces Monday during demonstrations marking the 15th anniversary of Yasser Arafat’s death in the occupied West Bank, leaving a Palestinian shot dead, medics and Palestinian officials said.
Demonstrations were held in Ramallah and the Hebron area in the West Bank to commemorate the legacy of Arafat, revered as a hero by Palestinians.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, who succeeded Arafat, laid a wreath at his tomb at a ceremony in Ramallah, where hundreds gathered with pictures and flags for the anniversary.
“Israel says the martyrs are criminals, terrorists and murderers,” Abbas said. “We will never agree to give up on our martyrs, our most sacred martyrs.”
Sporadic clashes erupted with Israeli forces, including in the Hebron area, where a Palestinian man was shot dead, the Palestinian health ministry and medics said.