Palestinian protests in Jerusalem and the West Bank turned violent on Friday, with demonstrators throwing stones at Israeli security forces at several locations.
At the Temple Mount in the capital’s Old City, Palestinians exiting Friday prayers hurled stones at security forces stationed near the Mughrabi Gate. Israeli forces stormed the area, entering the Temple Mount compound, and used stun grenades to disperse the protesters. There were no injuries, according to police.
In Hebron, dozens of Palestinians attacked security forces with stones in the city’s Jewish quarter. A Border Police officer was mildly injured after being hit by a brick hurled by protesters. He received initial medical treatment on the scene before being transferred to hospital.
Hundreds of protesters also gathered at the Beitunia military checkpoint near the Ofer Prison outside Ramallah, where several Palestinian inmates are on a hunger strike. Dozens of them threw stones at IDF and Border Police stationed at the post.
In Nabi Saleh, also near Ramallah, security forces used live fire to disperse protesters.
Israeli security forces had been placed on high alert ahead of the anticipated protests, following escalating demonstrations in recent days.
Some Israeli experts believe the Palestinian Authority is using the issue of the hunger strikers to try to foster a first intifada-style Palestinian uprising.
Demonstrations were planned in solidarity with Palestinian hunger strikers in Israeli jails. But protesters also said they intended to mark the anniversary of Baruch Goldstein’s massacre of 29 Palestinians at the Tomb of the Patriarchs in 1994.
US President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to Israel was also expected to draw protests, according to Israel Radio.
Police were deployed in unusually high numbers in the Old City as Friday prayers were held, and at the entrances to villages around Jerusalem.
Several Palestinians and three Israeli journalists were injured Thursday as thousands of Palestinians demonstrated at the Beitunia military checkpoint, calling for the release of inmates who are on a hunger strike.
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