IDF on alert in West Bank

The IDF is worried about riots after the funeral of a young Palestinian.

25 February 13 11:11, Globes' correspondent

The defense establishment is on alert today for the funeral of the young Palestinian, Arafat Jaradat, who died at Megiddo Prison. The funeral will be held in the village of Si’ir north of Hebron. The IDF is worried that riots after the funeral might spread to the area of Road 60, which is used by Israeli drivers, near the village.

IDF forces in the West Bank will be ready for disturbances and stone throwing by Palestinian rioters, after Jaradat's funeral. Troops in the field will be equipped with riot gear and their preparedness will be raised by refreshing procedures for firing at demonstrators.

The concerns about riots are mainly because the Palestinians have concluded that Jaradat died of torture while in prison. Palestinian Minister of Prisoner Affairs Issa Qaraqi said yesterday that an autopsy on Jaradat found extensive bruising.

Israel quickly sought to counter the Palestinian government's claims, publishing a brief statement about the autopsy on Jaradat by Prof. Yehuda Hiss, in the presence of Palestinian pathologist Dr. Saber Aloul. "During the autopsy, no signs of external trauma were found apart from those pertaining to resuscitation and a small graze on the right side of his chest," stated the Ministry of Health.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 25, 2013

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