Wounded Australian medical student seeks probe into Israeli shooting in non-combat zone

ANKARA

An Australian medical student, who was wounded by Israeli soldiers during a raid in a non-combat zone in the occupied West Bank earlier this month, has demanded a probe into the shooting.

Ranem Abu Izneid, a third-year student of dentistry at Al-Quds University, which is located in Abu Dis in the occupied West Bank, near Jerusalem - a non-combat zone – was injured when a bullet shot by Israeli forces penetrated her dormitory window and the shrapnel injured her on Nov. 15.

She sustained serious injuries to her face, neck, scalp, chest and her right eye out of which she is unable to see, local broadcaster SBS reported on Monday.

Abu Izneid was born in Jordan to a Palestinian family that now lives in Melbourne.

She arrived back in Melbourne on Sunday morning and is now in a hospital receiving treatment.

Speaking from her hospital bed, she told SBS News she was "experiencing significant pain and emotional distress" and said her "future is uncertain."

"The trauma of the event and the uncertainty about my recovery are overwhelming, as well as the uncertainty of my future health and ability to continue my studies," she was quoted as saying.

The Israeli Defense Ministry and the Israeli government did not respond to the Australian broadcaster over the shooting.

Abu Izneid and her family demanded that the Australian government intervene, with an investigation into how the incident happened in a non-combat zone.

"I demand a full and transparent investigation into the unjustified attack on me inside my own home," she said, adding that those behind the attack must be held accountable,” Abu Izneid added.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed in a statement on Sunday that it has provided consular assistance to an Australian in the West Bank.

"The Australian government is seeking further information about the circumstances of the incident," the statement added.