The funeral of a Palestinian infant killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank took place on Thursday, as diplomatic pressure mounts over the incident. According to Palestinian medical sources, the 10-month-old girl was shot in the head during an Israeli military operation near the city of Jericho. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated that troops opened fire after coming under attack from petrol bombs and rocks, adding that the circumstances of the child's death are under review.
The incident has drawn condemnation from the United Nations, the European Union and several Arab states, with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process calling for an immediate investigation. The Palestinian Authority has accused Israel of a 'deliberate execution'. The funeral procession in the village of al-Mughayyir was attended by hundreds of mourners, some of whom called for retaliation.
The Israeli military has expressed regret over the loss of civilian life but maintained that its forces acted in accordance with protocol. The incident threatens to further destabilise an already volatile region, where a recent upsurge in violence has claimed dozens of lives. International mediators have urged restraint on all sides.
