Palestinian child hit by stray IDF fire dies

A Palestinian toddler who was hit by errant gunfire from IDF soldiers succumbed to his wounds on Monday at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer. The incident occurred on Friday near the Palestinian village of Nabi Saleh and the West Bank settlement of Neveh Tzuf, according to Israeli media.

The toddler was identified as Muhammad al-Tamimi. His 40-year-old father was also seriously injured in the incident and was evacuated to a hospital in Ramallah by the Red Crescent, where he is still being treated.

A preliminary probe into the incident showed the Palestinians were likely hit by IDF gunfire aimed at two other Palestinians who opened fire toward the West Bank settlement, the Israeli military said, stressing its intent to avoid civilian casualties

as much as possible.

It later took responsibility for the accidental shooting.

“The IDF regrets harming those who were not involved and works to prevent incidents of this type. The incident is being investigated,”

a military spokesperson said.

IDF soldiers and volunteers from the rescue forces of nearby settlements assisted in evacuating the toddler to the hospital by helicopter.