Jerusalem – Wanted Palestinian Terror Suspect Runs From Police And Falls To His Death

Jerusalem – Israeli police say a Palestinian suspected of plotting an attack in Israel was killed during an arrest raid in the Qalandia refugee camp in the Jerusalem area.

He is the third Palestinian to be killed over the past week during a confrontation with Israeli forces. Relatives identified him as 20-year-old Mohammed Lafi Abu Latifeh.

Israeli paramilitary border police entered the refugee camp early Monday to arrest two Palestinians suspected of plotting an attack in Israel. Police say one surrendered, but the second ran to the roof of a building.

Police ordered him to stop, and then shot him in the lower part of his body. He tried to jump to a nearby roof but fell. A police paramedic treated him but he died of his wounds.

However, Shahdi Awad, who lives in a neighboring building and who said he saw the incident, told Reuters Abu Latifa was shot dead and had not fallen off the roof.

“He was shot repeatedly on the rooftop, and that’s where he stayed until the soldiers came and took down the body,” he said.

Palestinians who saw Abu Latifa said he had gunshot wounds in his legs but no clear sign of damage elsewhere. Palestinian doctors said his family’s had refused permission for an autopsy.

The police spokeswoman, Luba Samri, said, “He (Awad) can say whatever he wants. Our account is what happened.”

She said that Abu Latifa, and a second man arrested without incident in Qalandiya, were “suspected of planning a terrorist attack within Israel”.

Qalandiya residents said Abu Latifa was a member of the Fatah political party of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas but that they had no knowledge of him having any affiliation with armed factions within the party.