Thousands mourn Palestinian girl martyred by Israel

RAMALLAH, Palestine

Thousands of Palestinians on Saturday attended a funeral procession in the West Bank for a 16-year-old Palestinian girl, who was shot and killed by Israeli forces last December.

Samah Mubarak, was killed by Israeli forces for allegedly attempting to stab Israeli soldiers at the Al-Zaiyem military checkpoint in eastern Jerusalem.

Israeli forces withheld her body for 36 days before releasing it to Palestinian authorities on Friday.

Mourners marched from the Ramallah Hospital to the graveyard of Al-Bireh city, amid chants against Israel.

Israeli authorities are estimated to be holding the bodies of 35 slain Palestinians, according to figures issued by a Palestinian NGO.