Palestinian minister suffocates to death during clashes with Israeli army

Ziad Abu Ein, head of the Anti-Wall and Settlement Commission, died today after suffocating on tear gas and being beaten during the Israel army’s dispersal of a protest in the West Bank, an Anadolu Agency correspondent and a Palestinian medical source reported.

The Anadolu correspondent reported that “Abu Ein lost consciousness during a physical clash with the Israeli army forces while they dispersed a protest against settlements and the Separation Wall organised today by popular Palestinian resistance committees in the village of Turmusiya, north of Ramallah.”

He added: “During the dispersal of the protestors, the Israeli army fired tear gas canisters, resulting in the suffocation of dozens, including Abu Ein.” The activist was transported to the Palestinian Medical Complex in Ramallah for treatment.

Director of the Palestinian Medical Complex, Ahmed Bitawi told Anadolu: “Abu Ein died as a result of suffocation due to inhalation of tear gas.” He added that he reached the medical complex in critical condition and was admitted to intensive care before dying.

Activist Abdullah Abu Rahmeh told Anadolu that “we will continue all forms of action to confront settlement expansion”.

No comment was immediately available from the Israeli side.

In addition to his position as Head of the Anti-wall and Settlement Commission, Abu Ein is also a Palestinian Authority minister and a member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council.