BEITUNIA, West Bank, May 20 (UPI) -- A video released online by a Palestinian advocacy group allegedly shows two Palestinian teenagers being shot to death by Israeli soldiers with no provocation.
Defense for Children International Palestine posted the video on YouTube showing three teenagers being shot: one in the back and two in the chest. Two of the teenagers died on site. The shooting was captured on a surveillance video from a Palestinian shop next to Ofer Military Prison, where more than 100 Palestinians have been on hunger strike for several weeks.
"The images captured on video show unlawful killings where neither child presented a direct and immediate threat to life at the time of their shooting," said Rifat Kassis, executive director of DCI-Palestine.
The Israeli military claims that it was only using tear gas and rubber bullets and no soldiers were using live ammunition. They also said that the incident is under investigation.
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"Last Thursday, a violent and illegal disturbance took place in Betunia. The video in question was edited in a biased way and does not reflect the violence in the disturbance," the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement. "An initial investigation with the forces operating in area of disturbance did not use live fire. Nevertheless, the military prosecutor has ordered a limited internal investigation into the matter."
Eleven others were reportedly injured on Nakba Day in Ramallah and Hebron. Four Palestinians were detained on suspicion of throwing stones at authorities. The owner of the shop that captured the footage said that the teenagers were not throwing stones, but retreating.
"Israeli authorities must conduct serious, impartial, and thorough investigations to hold the perpetrators accountable for their crimes," said Kassis.
