Palestinian boy shot by Israeli army dies of wounds

JENIN, West Bank (Reuters) – A 13-year-old Palestinian boy
shot in the head and chest by Israeli soldiers died of his
wounds on Saturday, Palestinian officials said.

Ahmad al Khateep was critically wounded on Thursday during
an Israeli army raid to detain suspected Palestinian militants
in the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli army has said soldiers in the Jenin refugee
camp came under fire from Palestinian gunmen in several
locations and returned fire hitting the boy who they said was
later discovered to have been holding a toy weapon.

The army said that it regretted the incident.

Al Khateep’s body was transferred to Jenin from an Israeli
hospital where he was being treated, Palestinian medics and a
Palestinian security source said.

The boy’s father, Ismail al Khateep, told Israeli
television before the body was moved that his family had
decided to donate Ahmad’s organs to Israeli children who needed
them.

“We want to send a message of peace to Israeli society, to
the defense ministry and the Israeli parliament,” he said.

“They (Israeli forces) killed my son who was healthy and we
want to give his organs to those who need them.”

Palestinian officials have said Israel’s frequent raids in
West Bank towns and villages to arrest suspected militants hurt
chances of resuming peacemaking stalled by more than five years
of violence.

Israel demands that the Palestinian Authority disarm
militants. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas prefers to
negotiate with gunmen, fearing forced disarmament could lead to
civil war.