Israeli troops beat to death Palestinian minister

Israeli soldiers beat to death a Palestinian minister during a mass rally in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Wednesday, Palestinian medical sources said in Gaza city and Ramallah. The sources confirmed the death of Ziad Abu Ain, minister of settlement, after he was brutally beaten by Israeli troops who were dispersing a Palestinian anti-settlement protest in Turmos Meya village near Ramallah City. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the incident, describing it as ‘barbaric assault’. ‘We cannot stay hands folded at this barbarian act,’ Xinhua cited him as saying in a short statement published by state-run Wafa news agency. Abbas added that he would take necessary measures following the investigation of Abu Ain’s death, while condemning Israel’s ongoing assaults against the Palestinian people. The Israeli Defence Forces has not made any comment on the incident, according to Xinhua.