Palestinian medical sources have reported that four residents were injured Friday, after Israeli soldiers attacked the weekly nonviolent protest in Kufur Qaddoum town, near the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia. The protesters, accompanied by international activists, marched through the village, demanding that Israel open the main village road that was blocked by the army 13 years ago in order to enable easy access by Israeli colonizers to the Kedumim illegal colony, built on Palestinian lands.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in the town Morad Eshteiwy said a large military force invaded Kufur Qaddoum before noon prayers, and fired a barrage of rubber-coated metal bullets.
The invasion and assault led to clashes between dozens of local youth and the invading soldiers; local youth hurled stones and empty bottles toward the invading soldiers and armored vehicles.
One child, identified as Abdul-Rahim Abdul-Salam, 6 years of age, was shot in the shoulder, while Mousa Abdul-Latif, 13, was shot in the arm, and Jamil Helmly, 17, was shot in the thigh and Odai al-Qaddoumi was shot with three rubber bullets in his arms and abdomen.
Eshteiwy further said that the soldiers fired several gas bombs and concussion grenades targeting the local mosque, and several homes, in addition to spraying homes with wastewater mixed with chemicals. Israeli concussion grenades also caused power blackouts in a number of neighborhoods.
