Breaking News: Israeli soldiers seriously injure a Palestinian worshiper in Nablus, Friday Jan 4, 2008

Israeli soldiers opened fire on Palestinians on their way to Friday prayer seriously injuring Nablus resident Ahmad Mohammad Abu Hantash in the head. The incident happened at noon as worshipers were heading to Al Shuhada Mosque in the western part of Nablus. As worshipers were entering the mosque an Israeli armored vehicle opened fire hitting Mr. Abu Hantash in the back of his head with three rubber-coated metal bullets causing extensive damage to his brain and neck. He is currently undergoing surgery in Nablus Specialty Hospital located near the mosque in an effort to save his life. Several witnesses say that the shooting was unprovoked and expressed their anger and frustration for the Israeli Army complete disregard to human life and the sanctity of holy places. One of the worshipers who was walking with Mr. Abu Hantash said “I was walking with Ahmad to the mosque and suddenly I heard a gunshot and saw Ahmad fall beside me, I was horrified to see his blood splashing all over the ground, and did not know why the army shot at us, we ducked for cover and when the Israeli jeep left we rushed Ahmad to the nearby Specialty Hospital.”
Ahmad Abu Hantash is a 35-year old Palestinian worker, married with two children, Fadi, 4 years old, and Hadi, three months old.
The Israeli Army has been conducting a major invasion into Nablus since the dawn of Thursday, Jan 3, 2008, and the operation is still ongoing. More than 45 Palestinians have been injured in the past 24 hours, and the Israeli army arrested 20 Palestinians.

Report & Photos by Saed J. Abu-Hijleh
Nablus, Palestine
1:00 pm, Friday, January 04, 2008