By Michael Hernandez with additional reporting from Anees Barghouty in Ramallah
WASHINGTON
The U.S. called for a “speedy” and “transparent” investigation into the West Bank shooting death of a Palestinian-American on Friday.
Arrawa Hammad, 14, was shot in the head with live ammunition by an Israeli sniper during clashes in Silwad village in the Ramallah province, according to Ahmed al-Beitawi, director of the Ramallah Medical Center, speaking to The Anadolu Agency.
The boy succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital, al-Beitawi added.
Hammad was an American citizen, prompting the U.S. State Department to call for an investigation into his death.
“We call for a speedy and transparent investigation, and will remain closely engaged with the local authorities, who have the lead on this investigation,” department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.
She also urged that calm be restored “in the wake of the tragic recent incidents in Jerusalem and the West Bank.”
At least 10 other Palestinians were injured by rubber bullets – and one by live ammunition – during the Ramallah clashes, which remain ongoing.
Eyewitnesses confirmed to the AA that the Israeli army surrounded the area and was preventing people from entering or leaving the village.
Tensions have been at a fever pitch following an incident Wednesday in which a Palestinian man allegedly drove his car into a crowd, killing a baby and injuring eight other Israelis.
Abdel-Rahman al-Sheloudi, the driver, died at a hospital Wednesday after being shot by pursuing police. His death set off a fresh round of protests in the restive East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan. The neighborhood has been the site of fierce clashes between protesters and police that began this summer.
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