450 Palestinians Injured in 1 Day as Israeli Operation Mounts

Israeli forces run after Palestinian protesters during clashes | Photo: AFP

The Israeli army violently entered occupied Palestinian territory, inciting clashes.

Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians continued Monday, as the Israeli authorities launched a manhunt in the occupied West Bank and other territories.

Different incidents have sparked outrage among Palestinians, after weeks of tensions, which began with the restriction of Palestinian access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem by Israeli authorities.

The Red Crescent confirmed that at least 450 Palestinians have been injured by Israeli security forces and settlers in the past 24 hours, some 36 of them wounded by live ammunition.

Among them, a 12-year-old Palestinian boy and a teenager were shot and killed by Israeli soldiers during clashes in Aida refugee camp, Bethlehem.

The clashes were an extension of protests over the assassination of Fadi Alloun, a Palestinian teenager shot dead by Israeli police Sunday morning. Israeli officials say Alloun, who is being described as a martyr by Palestinians, had stabbed several settlers before being fatally killed.

However, Alloun’s family refute the Israeli government's account of events, saying the teen did not stab anyone. According to them, the young man was on his way to work at a bakery in Jerusalem when he was allegedly attacked by a mob of settlers.

A video published by several media outlets show Israeli police fatally shoot the teen, encouraged by Israelis who tell police to shoot “the terrorist.”

Alloun's family also revealed that Israeli intelligence had agreed to release the teenager's body, on the condition that no more than 70 Palestinians attend his funeral. The family will have to pay over US$5,000 as a guarantee that they will fulfill this condition.

Palestinian demonstrators run for cover from tear gas fired by Israeli security forces during clashes in Bethlehem | Photo: AFP

Hours before Alloun's death, Muhannad Halabi – another Palestinian teenager killed by Israeli forces – had fatally stabbed two ultra-orthodox Jews. Some have speculated that Alloun was killed in retaliation.

The Israeli security forces also entered Ramallah Monday in an effort to demolish the family home of Halabi as part of an Israeli policy to punish the family members of those deemed “terrorists” by Israeli authorities. Residents protected the house and threw rocks at the Israeli forces, which left the site without destroying the household.

Witnesses say protesters ambushed the army with stones, while soldiers responded with live ammunition. At least 2 Palestinians were injured by gunfire.

Meanwhile, some Israeli and Palestinian media are warning that the escalation in tensions could lead to a third intifada, or popular uprising.

Israeli fighter jets carried out airstrikes on Gaza against Hamas targets Monday morning in response to a rocket fired at Israeli territory, despite the fact an Islamic State-affiliated group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Israel holds Hamas responsible for the attack, retaliating with four airstrikes conducted by F-16 jets; witnesses say drones were also seen circling the airspace.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blamed the Israeli government and its policies for the outbreak of violence. On Wednesday, Abbas dropped the bombshell at the United Nations General Assembly that Palestine will no longer abide by the two-state agreement due to the increase in aggression from Israel.

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