Palestinian official dies after clashes with Israeli forces

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- A Palestinian Cabinet minister died Wednesday after clashes between Israeli forces and demonstrators at a protest in the West Bank.

Ziad Abu Ein, head of the Anti-Wall and Settlement Commission and a member of Fatah's Revolutionary Council, died at the Ramallah Hospital after reportedly inhaling large amounts of tear gas at the protest and, according to witnesses, also struck in the chest by Israeli soldiers.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Abu Ein's death as a "barbaric act which cannot be tolerated."

Israel Defense Forces announced Wednesday that an investigation was underway.

Abbas asserted that "all necessary steps" would be taken after the investigation into Abu Ein's death is complete.