US urges probe after 'terrified' seven-year-old Palestinian boy dies 'chased down by Israeli soldiers'
US urges probe after 'terrified' seven-year-old Palestinian boy dies 'chased down by Israeli soldiers'
Rayyan Yaser Suleiman died of heart failure while in a state of panic as Israeli troops chased him and his fellow school pupils in the village of Tuqu near Bethlehem, according to his family.
1 min read
Seven-year-old Rayyan was travelling home from school when he died [Getty]
The US has called for an investigation into the death of a seven-year-old Palestinian boy who collapsed while being chased by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank on Thursday.
Rayyan Yaser Suleiman died of heart failure while in a state of panic as Israeli troops ran after him and other schoolchildren in the village of Tuqu near Bethlehem, according to his family.
Asked about the death, US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said: "The US is heartbroken to learn of the death of an innocent Palestinian child.
"We support a thorough and immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child's death" as well as an Israeli army probe, Patel added.
Rayyan's body was held by authorities on Thursday for a post-mortem. He was buried on Friday after his body was released to his family.
"Rayan was the youngest of his siblings," Munir Suleiman, his uncle, told The New Arab.
"Like all other boys, Rayan liked to play and learn, spending his time between school and home, and was really loved by all the family."
Israel's army has said it is investigating the death.
More In News
