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Photos:
A screenshot of a video showing Israeli soldiers arresting a Palestinian man in Jericho, February 22, 2018. Published by Haaretz

Checkpoint at the entrance to Jericho, 2008 Credit: דניאל בר-און / ג'ינ Published by Haaretz
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Army report said 36-year-old Yasin al-Saradih may have died from gas exposure during Palestinian riots against Israeli soldiers in Jericho

by Jack Khoury and Yaniv Kubovich for Haaretz
Feb 23, 2018 7:00 PM

The Palestinian man from the West Bank city of Jericho who was killed on Thursday was shot in the stomach, according to medical sources informed of the results of the autopsy.

The sources said 36-year-old Yasin al-Saradih may have died from blood loss, adding that an entry hole was found in the stomach, as well as shrapnel near the tailbone.

Earlier Friday, the Israeli army said al-Saradih had died from smoke inhalation. According to the army's preliminary investigation, the man ran toward the Israeli soldiers with an iron bar and attempted to grab a weapon before he was arrested. A video of the incident that took place overnight Thursday shows the soldiers beating the man.

The military report said that around 50 Palestinians rioted during the army operation, throwing stones, burning tires and throwing Molotov cocktails at Israeli soldiers. When Saradih ran toward the soldiers he was forcefully handcuffed and, at that point, examined by a paramedic who deemed him to be in good condition.

The soldiers continued to use riot control methods near where al-Saradih was being held, says the report, when he was exposed to gas that may have caused his death. While handcuffed, his medical condition deteriorated until the IDF pronounced him dead.

A search later revealed that he was holding a knife on his person. Military sources had said that shots were fired during the arrest, but no bullet wounds were found on his body.

The video released of the arrest shows the soldiers overtaking the Palestinian and continuing to beat him while he layed on the ground with several soldiers around him.

The military confirmed that the video documents the incident that took place Wednesday night in Jericho, but claims it captures it in a way that does not allow full comprehension of the incident.

The Israeli army said that riots erupted during a raid on the West Bank city in which a “terrorist armed with an iron bar charged at the soldiers and tried to attack them. The force responded with gunfire, confronted the terrorist from close range and managed to stop him. A knife was found in his possession. He was evacuated by the force from the scene to receive medical treatment. He was later pronounced dead.”
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View first reports about this case here