Two Palestinians have been killed and more than 150 injured, as protests surged in the West Bank, supporting Gazans in the 16-day war with Israel.
The men were killed by gunfire when Israeli soldiers and border police confronted thousands of demonstrators in Qalandia, between Jerusalem and Ramallah.
Several of the injured were also shot when Israeli forces used tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets. During the clashes, Palestinians threw rocks and fireworks at the Israeli troops and police, and skips and tires were set on fire.
An Israeli spokeswoman said, “The soldiers are responding with riot disposal means” to “rioters…rolling burning tyres and throwing molotov cocktails and fireworks.”
The “48,000 March” began at the al-Am’ari refugee camp in Ramallah. also took place in Nablus Bethlehem, and Jerusalem. Palestinian activists said they were the largest in the West Bank in years.
Protesters in Qalandia said they want to reach the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to mark Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny), when Muslims pray through the night as the holy month of Ramadan ends.
