Soldier Shoots Wounded Palestinian, Sparks Uproar

But a second video may explain the shooting
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Mar 27, 2016 3:25 PM CDT
Soldier Shoots Wounded Palestinian, Sparks Uproar
In this Thursday, March 24, 2016 file photo, Israeli soldiers stand near the body of a Palestinian who was shot and killed by a soldier while laying wounded on the ground after a stabbing attack in Hebron, West Bank.    (Uncredited)

Amateur video appearing to show an Israeli soldier killing an already wounded Palestinian attacker sparked uproar in Israel on Sunday, reflecting the deep divisions in the country following six months of violence, the AP reports. As the Israeli military pressed on with an investigation, nationalistic politicians accused the army of abandoning the soldier, while political doves bemoaned the erosion of the nation's morals. Palestinians, meanwhile, say the shooting proved their claims that Israel is guilty of using excessive force and carrying out extrajudicial killings. The shooting took place last Thursday in Hebron, the volatile West Bank city that has been a focal point of the latest wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence. The military says two Palestinians stabbed and wounded an Israeli soldier before troops shot and killed the pair.

In a video released by the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem (WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT), one of the attackers appears to still be alive after the initial shooting. The video, taken by a Palestinian volunteer for the group, shows the wounded attacker lying on the ground, slowly moving his head. About a minute later, a soldier raises his rifle, cocks the weapon and fires. Blood is then seen streaming from the Palestinian's head. But newly released footage of the shooting appears to show that a medic believed the man was about to trigger a bomb, and cried out for help, the Times of Israel reports. The Israeli military quickly arrested the soldier and opened an investigation into what it said appeared to be a "grave breach" of its values. A military court has ordered the soldier to remain held until Tuesday while the investigation continues. (More Israel and Palestinians stories.)

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