In this image taken from video, an Israeli officer, right, grabs the throat of Ziad Abu Ain during a protest in the West Bank region on December 10, 2014. (Associated Press photo)
A senior official says the autopsy of a Palestinian Cabinet member shows he died as a result of tear gas inhalation and beatings allegedly sustained during a scuffle with Israeli troops.
Hussein Sheikh spoke on the Voice of Palestine radio today, a day after Cabinet member Ziad Abu Ain's death following a West Bank protest that included pushing and shoving with Israeli soldiers. Troops also fired tear gas at Palestinian protesters.
Sheikh, Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs, says delays in getting Abu Ain to the hospital also contributed to his death.
The Palestinian Government was to hold a news conference about the autopsy later today. It was not clear if Sheikh was expressing the official position.
Israeli and Jordanian pathologists were present at the autopsy and have not yet commented.