RAMALLAH
Six Palestinians were injured Friday in violent clashes with Israeli forces outside the Ofer prison near the West Bank city of Ramallah, eyewitnesses said.
According to the witnesses, Israeli forces fired rubber and live bullets and teargas bombs at Palestinian worshippers in Betunia town near Ramallah.
Dozens of people suffered temporary asphyxiation, the witnesses said.
Palestinians performed the weekly Friday prayers near Ofer prison in protest at an Israeli decision not to release the last batch of Palestinian prisoners under the terms of a US agreement.
Under the agreement, Israel had earlier promised to release 104 Palestinian prisoners detained since before the signing of the 1993 Oslo peace accords.
Israel has already freed 78 prisoners in three phases.
The fourth group of prisoners had been scheduled for release last Saturday before Israel reneged on its pledge.
On Tuesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas responded to the Israeli refusal by formally applying for Palestinian membership in U.N. organizations and treaties.
There are around 4660 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, according to Palestinian estimates.
By Anees Barghouthi
englishnews@aa.com.tr
