Israeli forces shoot, injure four Palestinians in West Bank clashes
YemenExtra
M.A.
Four Palestinian protesters have been shot and injured with live bullets during separate clashes with Israeli military forces across the occupied West Bank as tensions continue unabated in Palestinian territories in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital.
Local and security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Israeli soldiers raided al-Arroub refugee camp, located 15 kilometers south of Bethlehem, spurring skirmishes with residents.
Israeli forces fired live bullets to disperse the crowd, injuring three in the foot. They were transferred to hospital for medical treatment. Their medical condition remains unknown.
A number of protesters suffered breathing difficulties, red eyes and wheezing after Israeli soldiers hurled tear gas canisters.
Another Palestinian was shot and injured with live ammunition during similar clashes that broke out in the town of Sa’ir, located 8 kilometers (five miles) northeast of al-Khalil (Hebron).
Israeli forces reportedly prevented the Palestine Red Crescent Society medical staff from providing immediate support to the injured youth.
Israeli forces detain 24 Palestinians in West Bank
Meanwhile, Israeli military forces have arrested two dozen Palestinians during separate overnight operations across the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society said on Tuesday that eight people were detained in Aida refugee camp, situated 2 kilometers north of Bethlehem, while four were arrested in the city of Tulkarm.
Israeli forces also detained 12 Palestinians from East Jerusalem al-Quds, including 10 from Silwan neighborhood.
On December 6, Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital and relocate the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds.
The dramatic shift in Washington’s policy vis-à-vis the city triggered demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories, Iran, Yemen, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Morocco and other Muslim countries.
On December 21, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution that calls on the US to withdraw its controversial recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israeli “capital.”
In an attempt to avert the resolution, Trump had warned that “we’re watching,” threatening reprisals against countries that back the measure, which earlier faced a US veto at the UN Security Council.
Israel, however, rejected the world body’s resolution while thanking Trump for his decision to move US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds.
Jerusalem al-Quds remains at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Palestinians hoping that the eastern part of the city would eventually serve as the capital of a future independent Palestinian state.
PressTV