UN Chief Calls on Israel to Investigate Death of Palestinians in Recent Clashes
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on Israel to investigate the death of Palestinians, including a 13-year-old boy, in recent clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli forces.
Ban says Israel should conduct a "prompt and transparent investigation" into the killings, looking into whether Israel's use of force was proportional. He says he is "profoundly alarmed" by the recent events.
Israel's army says it is "thoroughly" investigating the death of the 13-year-old Palestinian. It would not elaborate, The Associated Press reported on Tuesday.
Israeli forces shot a 13-year-old Palestinian boy in his chest during anti--Israel demonstrations in Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem on Monday, causing outrage among Palestinians who clahesd with police in his funeral procession the next day.
His death followed other violent acts by Israeli forces in which several Palestinian teenagers were shot dead and dozens of others injured, during clashes in West Bank.
Much of the recent violence has stemmed from Israeli's systematic cycle of violence at the sacred hilltop compound, which has been a frequent flashpoint. Its fate is a core issue at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is known to Jews as the Temple Mount, site of the two biblical Jewish temples. Muslims revere it as the Noble Sanctuary, where they believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.
There have been several days of clashes at the site over the past few weeks as Israelis have increased visits by Jewish groups to the compound, provoking Plaetinians.
Ban also criticized Israel's demolition of homes belonging to Palestinians in East Jerusalem saying the measure would "inflame tensions still further."
