Palestinian toddler shot by Israeli troops in West Bank dies of wounds

A Palestinian toddler who was shot by Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank last week died of his wounds on June 5, Israeli hospital officials said.

A Palestinian toddler who was shot by Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank last week died of his wounds on June 5, Israeli hospital officials said.

Mohammed al-Tamimi was shot in the head last Thursday near his village of Nebi Saleh while riding in a car with his father. He was airlifted to Israel's Sheba Hospital, which announced the 2-year-old boy's death.

The Israeli military has said soldiers opened fire after gunmen in the area shot at a nearby Jewish settlement.

But the boy's father, Haitham al-Tamimi, told The Associated Press that he had just buckled up his son in the car and they were driving to visit an uncle when the bullet struck. The father was also shot and treated at a Palestinian hospital.

People gathered at the family's home on Monday after hearing of the boy's death.

“I hope this message will be heard: Innocence and childhood are sacred,” the boy's father told reporters. He accused Israel of targeting “unarmed people, whether young or old, under the pretext of self-defence.”

“A person in his home and unarmed receives this treatment?” he said.