EU calls for swift investigation into Israel’s killing of 15-year-old Palestinian girl
Occupied Palestine (QNN)- The European Union has called for a swift investigation into Israel’s killing of a 15-year-old Palestinian girl during a military raid on Monday in Beitunia, west of Ramallah.
In a Tuesday tweet, the EU Delegation to the Palestinians wrote, “Deepest condolences to the family of Fula Masalmeh who was to celebrate her 15th birthday today, but was tragically killed by gunfire from Israeli soldiers near Ramallah yesterday.”
The EU added, “In 2022, so far 32 children have been killed by ISF in the West Bank, in many instances through what appears to be excessive use of lethal force.”
“Israel, as party of the #CRC, must ensure the rights of children, including ensuring their protection, care and dignity – and right to life. This incident should be swiftly investigated and accountability ensured.”
1/3 Deepest condolences to the family of Fula Masalmeh who was to celebrate her 15th birthday today, but was tragically killed by gunfire from Israeli soildiers near Ramallah yesterday.
— EU and Palestinians (@EUpalestinians) November 15, 2022
A day before her 16th birthday, Fulla Rasmi Abdelazeez al-Masalma was shot dead in the head by Israeli occupation forces during a military raid yesterday in Beitunia, west of Ramallah, the Palestinian health ministry said in a statement.
Masalma, a resident of the Beit Awwa town, south of Hebron, was shot at around 4am while she was in a car with another person, identified as 26-year-old Anas Hassouneh, who was wounded in the shooting.
The Israeli occupation forces claimed soldiers shot at a “suspicious” vehicle as it accelerated towards them and did not heed their call to stop.
Eyewitnesses refuted the Israeli claim and said the 15-year-old girl was denied medical attention, according to Ahmed Faraj, a spokesperson from the Beitunia municipality.
Faraj said there was “no way” the pair could have known there was a raid going on, and that they stumbled upon the soldiers by accident.
The 15-year-old was denied medical attention and left to bleed for nearly 25 minutes, according to video footage and witness testimony.
Breaking| A Palestinian woman has been shot dead by Israeli occupation forces while inside a vehicle in the town of Beitunia, in the central occupied West Bank. The woman has not yet been identified. pic.twitter.com/gZG2lq1iW1
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) November 14, 2022
Israeli forces returned her body to the Palestinian ambulance service at approximately 6:30am in the morning. The wounded person who was in the same car is in Israeli custody.
Surveillance video shared on social media appeared to show the car slowly pulling up in the area before being shot at by soldiers stationed nearby.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor: "The Israeli army’s execution of a Palestinian woman in her car near Ramallah reflects a serious disregard for Palestinian lives. According to CCTV footage, the victim appeared to pose no imminent threat to the soldiers". pic.twitter.com/OUSz3edptH
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) November 14, 2022
Since the start of the year, 198th Palestinians have been killed by Israeli occupation forces and settlers, according to the health ministry.
