PA COMPLAINS ABOUT SHOOTING DEATH OF ELDERLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001979 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/RAMCHAND E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2018 TAGS: KWBG PHUM IS PREL SUBJECT: PA COMPLAINS ABOUT SHOOTING DEATH OF ELDERLY PALESTINIAN IN JENIN IDF INCURSION Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) The IDF shot and killed 67-year-old Palestinian Muhammad Abahra early October 29 in al-Yamun (Area A, near Jenin),according to PA security contacts and press reports. Local press quoted an IDF spokesman as saying that Abahra was armed and fired at IDF troops, who returned fire, killing him. Palestinian security contacts said Abahra was carrying a shotgun but did not discharge his weapon, and was shot by IDF soldiers as soon as he exited his house to check on "suspicious noises that sounded like cattle rustlers or equipment thieves." ¶2. (SBU) Palestinian press carried Abahra's neighbors' account that the IDF made no attempt to provide medical attention, raided several homes in the town immediately after the shooting, and obstructed attempts to bring an ambulance in to treat Abahra. Israeli press, however, quoted an IDF spokesman denying that the IDF prevented an ambulance from entering, and said IDF soldiers guided a Red Crescent ambulance to the area to allow Abahra's evacuation as soon as possible. ¶3. (C) PA PM Salam Fayyad complained to the Consul General about the incident, noting that liberal IDF rules of engagement often result in the unnecessary use of deadly force against Palestinians. WALLES