RAMALLAH, May 20, 2017 (WAFA) – An infant who developed serious breathing problems after inhaling tear gas fired by Israeli soldiers on Friday in the village of Aboud, northwest of Ramallah, was transferred to an Israeli hospital due to the seriousness of his health condition, said the Ministry of Health.

The infant, Abdul Rahman Barghouti, 18 months, inhaled tear gas fired by Israeli soldiers at Aboud homes during protests in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails who are in their second month of hunger strike.

Barghouti was first taken to a hospital in Ramallah but due to the seriousness of his health caused by tear gas inhalation, he was quickly transferred to Hadassah hospital in West Jerusalem.

His condition was not immediately known.

The soldiers fired tear gas sporadically at homes in Aboud to quell protesters who came out in solidarity with more than 1500 hunger striking prisoners who are demanding humanitarian and better prison conditions and treatment.

Protests raged in several West Bank towns and villages on Friday in support of the striking prisoners.

Israel so far refuses to negotiate with the prisoners, who are determined to continue with the strike, started on April 17, until they achieve what they describe as humanitarian demands.

Two Palestinians have been shot dead by Israeli forces so far during West Bank protests in support of the prisoners.

M.K.