Israeli civilian shot by Israeli soldiers in 'friendly fire' in West Jerusalem dies

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – An Israeli civilian who was shot and injured by Israeli soldiers in "friendly fire" on Thursday in West Jerusalem died of his injuries in a hospital on Friday.

Yuval Doron Castleman is seen raising his hands and begging Israeli soldiers not to shoot in footage posted on social media, before being shot and falling to the ground, Haaretz daily reported.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority said on Friday that Castleman died of his wounds after being shot by Israeli soldiers who mistook him for a "Palestinian."

The "friendly fire" incident occurred after two members of the Palestinian group Hamas attacked Israelis in West Jerusalem, killing four people and injuring 12 others.

Castleman, 38, of Mvasirat Zion, west of Jerusalem, was severely injured by Israeli army fire after soldiers assumed he was one of the two Hamas attackers.

The two gunmen were later shot dead by two off-duty Israeli soldiers and a civilian.

Later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the demolition of the Palestinian attackers' homes in West Jerusalem.

Israeli police also arrested six members of the attackers' families, including their parents, after raiding their homes.

Hamas later claimed responsibility for the shooting.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat