Palestinian minister dies after being struck by Israeli troops
A Palestinian minister died shortly after being hit by Israeli soldiers during a protest Wednesday in the occupied West Bank, a Reuters photographer who witnessed the incident and a Palestinian medic said.
Ziad Abu Ein, a minister without portfolio who was in his early 50s, was rushed by ambulance from the scene, in the village of Turmusiya, but died en route to the nearby Palestinian city of Ramallah.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in a statement, called Abu Ein's death "a barbaric act which we cannot be silent about or accept."
Announcing three days of national mourning, Abbas said he would take "necessary steps" after an investigation.
The Israeli army was looking into the incident, a spokeswoman said. She did not immediately provide further information.