AT least two Palestinians have been killed and almost 300 others have sustained injuries when clashes broke out between Palestinians demonstrating in protest against the recent decision by US President Donald Trump to recognise Israeli-occupied Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of the Tel Aviv regime despite widespread international opposition to it
Palestinians staged rallies in the central West Bank city of Ramallah, located 10 kilometres (6 miles) north of Jerusalem al-Quds, Bethlehem, Nablus, al-Khalil (Hebron). Hundreds of people marched from Ramallah downtown to Israel’s Bet Eil army checkpoint after Friday noon prayers.
Clashes reportedly erupted between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces across the West Bank, including the cities of Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqiliya and Ariha (Jericho). The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said at least 245 people were injured in the West Bank after being struck with either live or rubber bullets, or inhaling excessive amounts of tear gas.
In Jerusalem al-Quds, meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians marched from the flashpoint al-Aqsa Mosque compound to the Bab al-Amoud (also known as the Damascus Gate) shouting slogans against the United States and stressing the Arabic and Islamic identity of the city. Israeli forces used live ammunition and teargas in return to disperse the protesters.
The PRCS also reported that it had provided medical treatment to a number of Palestinians, who had been savagely beaten by Israeli troops. Separately, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Mahmoud al-Masri, 30, was shot to death by Israeli forces in Gaza’s southern city of Khan Yunis. It also said at least 50 people were injured in the clashes. The ministry said another Palestinian was also killed in clashes in Gaza but it has not as of yet provided any details on his identity.
