1 killed at West Bank rally for Palestinian hunger strikers
Reporting from RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian Health Ministry said Friday that a Palestinian has been killed by Israeli fire during clashes at a West Bank rally in support of hunger-striking prisoners.
The ministry said the 20-year-old was shot near Ramallah. The Israeli military said soldiers monitoring the demonstration opened fire after dozens of Palestinians hurled rocks at them.
Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel are on an open-ended hunger strike, now in its 26th day, saying they seek to improve their prison conditions.
Israel maintains that strike leader Marwan Barghouti, a potential successor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, is using the protest to raise his profile. Israel has released video it says shows Barghouti breaking his fast. Palestinians say it is a fabrication.
Barghouti is serving five life terms after being convicted by Israel of directing two shooting attacks and a bombing.
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