IDF Denies Link Between Use of Tear Gas and Death of Palestinian Baby

The latest Palestinian blood libel claims that the IDF’s use of tear gas caused a Palestinian baby’s death. This claim has been rejected by Israel, following both medical and operational investigations.

(With files from AFP)

The IDF on Saturday denied any link between its use of tear gas during clashes with rock-throwing Palestinians and the death of an eight-month-old boy, AFP reports.

On Friday, in the latest blood libel against Jews, the Palestinian health ministry claimed that Ramadan Thawabteh was asphyxiated in his Bethlehem home by tear gas fired by IDF soldiers, the report says.

“Ramadan Thawabteh, eight months old, died from asphyxiation today after inhaling tear gas, fired by the Israeli army, that entered the house of his family,” a Palestinian spokesman alleged.

According to the Israeli military, “following both medical and operational investigations it was concluded that there is no correlation of IDF activity in the village and the tragic death of the infant.”

“Tear gas was used dozens of meters away from the Thawabteh residence, and no riot dispersal means were directed at the residence,” an IDF statement read.