Several Palestinians suffocate in Israeli army raid in southern West Bank town

Several Palestinians Thursday evening suffocated during an Israeli army raid in the town of al-Khader, south of the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, according to WAFA correspondent. He said that the occupation forces stormed the town, simultaneously while firing barrages of tear gas canisters and concussion grenades towards the residents' houses and vehicles, causing several to suffocate from excessive tear gas inhalation. Meanwhile, an occupation army force stormed the Khalyel al-Louz, southeast of Bethlehem, and set up a checkpoint at its entrance, simultaneously while firing barrages of tear gas canisters and concussion grenades towards the residents' vehicles. The soldiers broke into several houses, ransacking them and tampering with their contents. The occupation forces frequently conduct raids daily across the West Bank on the pretext of searching for 'wanted' Palestinians, triggering clashes with residents. These raids are conducted with no need for a search warrant, whenever and wherever the military chooses in keeping with its sweeping arbitrary powers. Under Israeli military law army commanders have full executive, legislative and judicial authority over 3 million Palestinians living in the West Bank. Palestinians have no say in how this authority is exercised. Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA