Israeli army shoots Italian activist, Palestinian teen with live ammo

The 30-year-old was reportedly wearing a reflective vest when shot. Kufr Qaddum has been holding weekly protests for years against the closure of its main access road.

Israeli troops shot an Italian national in the chest with live ammunition Friday afternoon in the West Bank village of Kufr Qaddum, Palestinian medical officials and the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) reported.

An 18-year-old Palestinian protester was also hit with live fire, according to the reports.

The .22 caliber bullet entered 30-year-old Patrick Corsi’s chest and remained lodged in his abdomen, a statement from ISM said. He remains hospitalized in Nablus, according to Ma’an.

“The bullet entered Patrick’s chest near a main blood vessel, but thankfully did not puncture it,” said ISM media coordinator Ally Cohen.

Italian ISM activist Patrick Corsi in an ambulance after being shot in the chest by Israeli forces, November 28, 2014. (Photo courtesy of ISM)
Italian ISM activist Patrick Corsi in an ambulance after being shot in the chest by Israeli forces, November 28, 2014. (Photo courtesy of ISM)

Residents of Kufr Qaddum has been holding weekly protests for years against the Israeli military’s closure of the village’s main access roads.

Years ago the Israeli army classified .22 caliber rifles — called “tutu” by soldiers — as crowd control weapons but today they fall under the same rules of engagement as all other types of live ammunition.

Another ISM activist who witnessed the shooting said in a statement that Corsi was wearing a reflective high-visibility vest and peacefully protesting when he was shot.

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