Bethlehem: Dozens of Palestinians on Tuesday evening suffocated from Israeli army teargas in Nahalin town, west of the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, according to local sources. They reported that the occupying forces stormed the town and unleashed barrages of concussion and tear gas canisters at worshippers as the latter exited a mosque following the Tarawih prayer, causing dozens to suffocate.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the incident occurred as worshippers were leaving the mosque after evening prayers, a time when the town was filled with residents and visitors. The use of teargas led to a number of individuals experiencing breathing difficulties and requiring medical attention. The local community reacted with concern over the escalation of military actions in the area, which has been a point of tension in the past.
The confrontation in Nahalin highlights ongoing conflicts in the region, where both residents and security forces have frequently clashed. The use of teargas by the Israeli army is part of a broader context of measures that have been criticized by local and international observers. This incident adds to the series of confrontations that have taken place in the West Bank, contributing to the ongoing volatility in the region.
