BETHLEHEM: An officer of the Palestinian Civil Defense Service suffocated this evening by tear gas during confrontations in the village of Husan, west of Bethlehem, said a local official.

Head of Husan village council, Rami Hamamreh, told WAFA correspondent that forces fired tear gas canisters directly toward the civil defense center during confrontations with the village youths, causing one of the officers to suffocate. He received first aid at the scene.

To be noted, the civil defense center is located in the village council’s building.

The official said that forces stepped up their military measures and erected flying checkpoints across the streets and neighborhoods of the village, especially in the Matina area, hindering residents’ movement.

Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA