Arab Rioter Killed in Yerushalayim During Disturbances

After fierce rioting by Arabs in the Issawiya neighborhood of Yerushalayim, an Arab was killed when police faced off against the rioters, prompting further riots. The Arab who was killed, 20-year-old Mahmad Abu Samir, was directly involved in the riots.

Rioters threw rocks, stones, and fireworks at police and Border Guards. Security forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, attempting to put down the mob.

The rioters refused to disperse, and officers decided to use live bullets when they judged that their lives were in danger. One of the bullets hit Samir, who was about to throw a large cluster of explosives at security forces. He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, where he died of his wounds.

Security forces attempted to contain the rioters, but some of the violence spilled over outside the neighborhood, with shots fired at Jewish homes in the Shimon Hatzaddik neighborhood. Police on Friday morning were keeping an increased presence in the neighborhood to prevent a repeat of the rioting.