IDF soldiers critically wound Palestinian youth with rubber-coated bullet

Israel Defense Forces soldiers on Friday critically wounded a 13-year-old Palestinian boy after firing a rubber-coated bullet at his head.

The youth, who had been hurling stones at an IDF post near Hebron's Jewish community, was evacuated by the Red Crescent emergency services to a hospital in the West Bank city. He was later transferred to Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem, for further treatment.

An IDF spokesperson said Friday that a number of Palestinians had been throwing stones at the army position and setting tires on fire in Hebron, and that the soldiers responded using crowd-dispersal measures.

The spokesperson added that after the youth was injured, IDF soldiers provided initial medical treatment. As of Friday evening, it was unclear whether there would be a probe into the incident.

Tensions in Hebron have escalated in recent days in the wake of the evacuation of settlers from the so-called House of Contention.