HEBRON, September 22, 2015 (WAFA) – Several Palestinians suffocated on Tuesday as confrontations erupted between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian in the town of Beit Ummar, to the north of Hebron, according to local sources.

Coordinator of the Anti-Settlement Committee, Mohammad Awad, said confrontations erupted at the main entrance of the town between soldiers and local Palestinians, including students, after an army force broke into the town.

The soldiers fired teargas canisters and stun grenades, causing several cases of suffocation by teargas inhalation.

An increasing number of unarmed and peaceful Palestinians were either killed or seriously injured as a result of Israel’s constant use of tear gas against Palestinians.

B'Tselem, the Israeli human rights information center, stated that “[Israeli] soldiers and Border Police often fire tear-gas grenades directly at demonstrators with the aim of hitting them, or fire carelessly, without ensuring that demonstrators are not in the direct line of fire, in direct contravention of regulations.”

Nevertheless, security forces frequently aim and fire tear-gas grenades directly at demonstrators, or fire them carelessly, stressed the center.

Tear gas is a chemical irritant that severely affects the eyes, respiratory system and mucous membranes of the nose and throat. If fired directly at demonstrators, their impact can result in severe injuries and even death.

M.N./T.R.