Israel ‘to investigate troops beating Palestinian man’
Army will reportedly investigate soldiers after video purportedly showing unarmed man being beaten emerges.
The Israeli army has reportedly launched an investigation after a video of a group of soldiers beating an unarmed Palestinian man spread on social media.
The incident was filmed by Palestine TV on Friday in the presence of other media in Jalazone refugee camp, north of Ramallah in the West Bank.
It shows a soldier screaming obscenities at and pushing an unarmed Palestinian man before beating him with the butt of a rifle.
The man was then surrounded by six soldiers who brought him to the ground. He was restrained by at least three soldiers and then punched in the head by a fourth as his face was pushed into the dirt by a soldier’s knee.
He was later seen being led away by the soldiers.
An Israeli army spokesman told Ynet News on Saturday that the incident was “known to commanders and will be investigated in depth”.
The spokesman said the incident took place during a protest involving 50 to 70 Palestinians who threw rocks.
“Those involved will be brought before the regiment commander tomorrow for clarification and questioning regarding the incident and if needed we will take significant steps against them,” the spokesman told Ynet.
“Preliminary investigation gives the appearances that their behaviour is not consistent with that expected of [Israeli army] soldiers.”
There were reports that, prior to the incident, the soldiers had used the man’s house to take cover from people who were throwing rocks during the protest.