Israeli forces, Palestinians clash throughout West Bank
- 11 years ago
Clashes throughout the West Bank on Friday caps a week of violence.
In Hebron, Jerusalem, near Nablus and Jenin -- as well as Gaza City - Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians demonstrators protesting in solidarity with four prisoners on hunger strikes.
Across the West Bank, young Palestinians hurled stones at Israeli soldiers who responded with teargas, percussion grenades and water cannons.
Witnesses reported dozens of injuries from gas inhalation, and rubber and aluminum bullets.
The fighting broke out following a chain of protest marches and prayer vigils calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
In Gaza, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh spoke to protesters during Friday prayers.
SOUNDBITE: ISMAIL Haniyeh, Hamas Leader In Gaza saying (Arabic):
"It is a battle of glory against the tyrant. The battle of the Muslim Palestinian patient prisoner against the tyrant jailer."
Nearly 5,000 Palestinians are in Israeli jails but a few dozen are being held without charges.
Palestinians widely regard the prisoners as national heroes, and want all of them freed.
In Hebron, Jerusalem, near Nablus and Jenin -- as well as Gaza City - Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians demonstrators protesting in solidarity with four prisoners on hunger strikes.
Across the West Bank, young Palestinians hurled stones at Israeli soldiers who responded with teargas, percussion grenades and water cannons.
Witnesses reported dozens of injuries from gas inhalation, and rubber and aluminum bullets.
The fighting broke out following a chain of protest marches and prayer vigils calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
In Gaza, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh spoke to protesters during Friday prayers.
SOUNDBITE: ISMAIL Haniyeh, Hamas Leader In Gaza saying (Arabic):
"It is a battle of glory against the tyrant. The battle of the Muslim Palestinian patient prisoner against the tyrant jailer."
Nearly 5,000 Palestinians are in Israeli jails but a few dozen are being held without charges.
Palestinians widely regard the prisoners as national heroes, and want all of them freed.