Israeli forces open fire on Palestinians; hundreds injured New Israel-Palestine Conflict

The Palestinian Red Moon reported that 379 protesters were injured – 31 of them with live ammunition.

Israeli forces opened fire on hundreds of Palestinian protesters who gathered against an illegal post in the occupied West Bank on Friday, injuring more than 370 people, including 31 with live ammunition.

Drones fired tear gas canisters and smoke filled the air at the protest site in the West Bank town of Beita, near Nablus, and Palestinians protested against the illegal land confiscation.

Demonstrators burned tires and threw rocks at Israeli forces, local media reported. Witnesses said Israeli troops fired live rounds and rubber-coated steel bullets at protesters after prayers in Beitan on Friday.

Palestinian Red Moon reported 379 protesters were injured – 31 live ammunition. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army.

Similar clashes were also seen in the town of Kafr Qaddum and Beit Dajan, where dozens of Palestinians were treated for the effects of tear gas.

The Israeli army also suppressed protests against settlements in the Masafer Yatta area of ​​Hebron.

According to Israeli and Palestinian estimates, there are about 650,000 settlers in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, living in 164 settlements and 116 outposts.

Under international law, all Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are illegal.

Advanced Evyatar

One of the focal points of the clashes was the Evyatar settlement, which in recent months saw tensions rise in the occupied West Bank, as settlers refused to evacuate the land and the Palestinians strongly opposed their presence.

In May, 34 Palestinians were killed – the highest number in 10 years – the Israeli home intelligence agency, Shin Bet, reported nearly 600 violent incidents as it strengthened the Israeli military’s presence in the occupied territories with more battalions.

Palestinians in nearby villages say the Evyatar court was illegally built on their land and they fear it will grow and merge with larger settlements in the area.

At least four protesters, including two teenagers, have been killed in the clashes in recent months.

Settlers advanced the post to Evyatar because an Israeli – allegedly a Palestinian – was killed in 2013, and dozens of families were said to be living there.

At the end of June, Israel was committed With settlers living in Evyat. Under the agreement, the settlers left the post, and the area became a closed military site, but the houses and roads remained in place.

Critics say the eviction did not reflect a change in Israeli policy.

An Israeli government survey will be conducted, settlers say will prove that the advance was not established on Palestinian privately owned land.

This would pave the way for the establishment of a religious school and the return of some families.

A Palestinian protester is being treated inside an ambulance after clashes with Israeli forces [Raneen Sawafta/Reuters]