Israeli forces kill Palestinian man with tear gas in West Bank town

A Palestinian man died on Monday after inhaling tear gas during an Israeli military raid on the town of Sinjil, north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. The raid was part of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the territory, known as "Operation Iron Wall".

According to eyewitnesses cited by the Palestinian news agency Wafa, 48-year-old Wa'el Basem Ghafri succumbed to gas inhalation after Israeli forces, protecting settlers, fired tear gas as settlers attacked an area of land separating Sinjil from the nearby town of Al-Mazra'a ash-Sharqiya. Settlers also reportedly set fire  to a house.

The agency said a violent confrontation broke out between residents and the Israeli army, who opened live fire at Palestinians with support from armed settlers. While no injuries from gunfire were reported, dozens of Palestinians suffered from severe tear gas exposure.

In a separate incident, a farm owner suffered a heart attack after being physically assaulted, sprayed with tear gas, and struck in the face by Israeli settlers. The settlers also torched the farm, destroyed a workshop under construction, stole 45 sheep, killed several more, and burned three livestock barracks.

Tear gas is commonly used by Israeli forces during raids across the occupied West Bank to disperse crowds. However, rights groups have long accused Israel of misusing the weapon. Though classified as a riot-control agent intended for open-air use, Israeli forces have fired tear gas into homes, clinics, schools, hospitals, and mosques, Amnesty International reported as early as 1988.

Israel’s offensive in the West Bank is now entering its fourth month. The military campaign has resulted in the deaths of multiple Palestinians and the forcible displacement of thousands.