BICOM

Initial results from an autopsy on the Bedouin man killed last week in the southern village of Umm al-Hiran has cast further doubt over how the death occurred.

Israeli security forces arrived to the village early last Wednesday morning to enable the court-ordered demolition of several homes. Officers then opened fire and killed 47-year old Yacoub Abu al-Kiyan, the driver of a car, who they said drove into and killed Israeli security personnel Erez Levi.

Israel police described the incident at the time as terrorism and insisted that “officers responded and the terrorist was neutralised”. However, demonstrators at the scene have said that al-Kiyan was shot before losing control of the vehicle.

Over the weekend, Channel Ten reported that the autopsy report issued by Israel’s Abu Kabir Forensics Institute said al-Kiyan was struck by a bullet in his right knee, which was pressing the accelerator pedal, possibly causing al-Kiyan to speed towards Israeli officers.

The report also says that a second bullet struck al-Kiyan in the chest causing him to bleed profusely, but that the ongoing violent demonstration prevented medics from treating him promptly and potentially saving his life.

The Health Ministry released a statement that read: “According to the autopsy report, Abu al-Kiyan was shot by two bullets. It is important to emphasise that at this stage it is impossible to determine which bullet was fired first and whether the shots hit his body before or after the vehicle accelerated leading up to the ramming.”

The Jerusalem Post includes eyewitness testimony which suggests that 34-year old Erez Levi may have been killed in crossfire with his colleagues. Another policeman who was injured remains in hospital.

Israel Hayom reports that on Saturday, around 10,000 people demonstrated against the home demolitions in the largely Arab area of Wadi Ara in northern Israel. Clashes broke out with security forces as demonstrators attempted to block the main road.