NABLUS, Wednesday, March 20, 2019 (WAFA) – Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire as Israeli forces escorted hundreds of settlers into Joseph’s Tomb in the northern West Bank city of Nablus.

WAFA correspondent reported that Israeli forces escorted a convoy of buses packed with hundreds of fanatic Jewish settlers into the site, located in the Palestinian-controlled area.

Soldiers opened live fire on a Palestinian vehicle at al-Ghawi junction, to the east of Nablus city, instantly killing the two passengers.

Israeli media reported that the two Palestinian allegedly hurled explosive devices at soldiers out of the vehicle they were driving.

The two Palestinians were identified as Raed Hamdan, 21, and Ziyad Nuri, 20.

Soldiers opened fire at a Palestinian ambulance that attempted to approach the scene, preventing medics from providing urgent medical treatment to Hamdan and Nuri, who were pronounced dead afterwards.

The bodies of Hamdan and Nuri were temporarily withheld by Israeli forces before being released to their families. 

Palestinians declared a general mourning strike in Nablus following the shooting

During ensuing confrontations, soldiers opened fire on Palestinians protesting the raid abd attempting to block settlers’ access to Joseph’s Tomb, injuring 12 protesters, including one hit with shrapnel in the eye.

One of the casualties was hit with a shrapnel in the eye. He was rushed To Rafidya Hospital for treatment.

Settlers repeatedly break into Joseph’s Tomb, located in a densely Palestinian populated area in Nablus, provoking chaos and confrontation with local residents.

K.F.