Story By: Alex Cope, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News 

These images show the tragic moment the lifeless body of a young Palestinian boy is pulled by rescuers from a cistern in East Jerusalem after a massive search operation.

Qais Abu Ramile, 8, was found dead in a pool of rainwater, reportedly a cistern, in the Beit Hanina neighbourhood of East Jerusalem a day after he went missing. The search operation was launched over fears he had been kidnapped but he is now suspected of having fallen in the cistern where it is believed he died from hypothermia.

Local media report he had gone missing on Friday night when residents from Beit Hanina, a Palestinian neighbourhood in East Jerusalem, feared he may have been kidnapped by residents in the nearby Israeli neighbourhood of Neve Yaakov.

Clashes had even broken out when members of the Palestinian community were blocked access to the Neve Yaakov area as they were searching for the boy.

Police dogs were brought into the search and his body was later found in a cistern which was full of water after days of rain in the area.

Local media report paramedics try to resuscitate the youngster but could not do so and he was declared dead.

Residents and local politicians have reportedly blamed the Israeli authorities for not blocking off the open cisterns to stop children from accessing them.

The boy’s body has been sent to forensic experts to determine the cause of death. Police said they believe the ball had slipped and fallen into the water but an investigation is ongoing.

Local media report 12 people were injured during the search for the boy as they clashed with police, with three demonstrators arrested for disturbing public order.

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