IDF: Protester's death likely due to unauthorized fire

Israel Defense Forces sources said Saturday a tear gas canister that killed a Palestinian demonstrator Friday at a protest against the West Bank separation fence was likely fired in violation of orders. Bassem Abu Rahmeh, 31, was killed during a protest in the West Bank village of Bil'in, a flash point for confrontations between soldiers and anti-fence protesters.

Meanwhile, a Palestinian man drove his Mercedes into two Israeli policemen checking motorists at a checkpoint outside Jerusalem Saturday, police said. The driver was arrested after he told police he targeted the officers. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the attack was politically motivated. One officer was moderately hurt and the other was slightly injured in the incident. Hamas officials on Saturday praised the driver's actions.

The Bil'in shooting occurred during a protest during which around 100 demonstrators hurled stones at soldiers and tried to destroy the fence, army sources said. Abu Rahmeh sustained severe chest injuries and was transferred to a Ramallah hospital, where he died of his injuries.

IDF officials who investigated the incident found the Armored Corps soldier who fired the canister apparently aimed directly at Abu Rahmeh from a distance of a mere few dozen meters. The IDF said Saturday that troops opened fire to disperse a violent, three-hour protest that was taking place in a closed military zone.

On Friday night, troops shot and killed a 16-year-old Palestinian after he threw firebombs at the gate of a Jewish settlement in the West Bank, officials said Saturday. The army said soldiers had fired warning shots before opening fire on a group of Palestinians hurling firebombs at the settlement of Beit El. A 19-year-old from the Jalazoun refugee camp was also wounded in the leg, Palestinian officials said.

The weekend's attacks were the latest in a series of violent incidents in the West Bank. A Palestinian man wielding a knife was shot and killed Friday by Jewish settlers after he entered their West Bank community of Beit Haggai, the IDF said.