World, Middle East

Dozens of Palestinians injured in West Bank clashes

Palestinians from across the West Bank demonstrate in support of jailed hunger strikers

28.04.2017 - Update : 28.04.2017
Dozens of Palestinians injured in West Bank clashes Palestinian protesters throw stones as response to Israeli security forces' attack with plastic bullet and tear gas during a protest against building of Jewish settlements and separation wall at Kafr Qaddum village of Nablus, West Bank on April 28, 2017. ( Nedal Eshtayah - Anadolu Agency )

RAMALLAH, Palestine

Clashes erupted in the occupied West Bank on Friday between Israeli forces and Palestinians demonstrating in support of jailed hunger strikers, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

"Ten Palestinians were hurt by rubber bullets and live ammunition in clashes that erupted in several areas near Ramallah," the Palestinian Red Crescent said in a statement.

"Seven other Palestinians were injured in clashes that occurred in the West Bank cities of Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus and Qalqiliya," it added.

The NGO went on to say that at least another 50 Palestinian demonstrators had suffered temporary asphyxia due excessive teargas inhalation.

Palestinians from across the West Bank staged marches and demonstrations on Friday to show solidarity with hundreds of jailed Palestinians who have remained on hunger strike for the past 11 days.

The protests were organized by the National Committee to Support the Hunger Strike, which includes representatives of several Palestinian factions.

Led by longstanding Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti, more than 1,500 Palestinian prisoners began an open-ended hunger strike on April 17 to demand more prison visits, better medical care and improved treatment for female inmates.

Barghouti, 58, has spent 15 years behind bars since being arrested by Israel in 2002 during the Second Palestinian Intifada (“uprising”), during which he took part in armed resistance activities.

While Israel views Barghouti as a security threat, opinion polls have consistently shown him to be the most popular choice among Palestinians to succeed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

According to Palestinian figures, Israel is currently holding more than 6,500 Palestinians -- including 57 women and 300 children -- at 24 detention centers across the country.

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