Israeli forces attack protesters in al-Khalil

A dozen demonstrators were wounded in the crackdown with several others arrested.
The clashes erupted after Palestinian and international activists held a rally marking the anniversary of a massacre of Palestinian prayers and the consequent closure of the city’s main street.
They also chanted slogans against the Israeli occupation and Tel Aviv’s expansion of its illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling for re-opening of Shuhada Street.
Al-Khalil’s Shuhada Street has been closed to Palestinian residents for more than 20 years now after a Zionist gunned down 29 Palestinian worshippers at the Ibrahimi Mosque in 1994.
Six years later, following the start of the Second Intifada against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, the Israeli army declared the street a closed military zone.
Palestinians say the closure of the central street is disruptive and helps Israel to further solidify its control over the area.
Al-Khalil has been the scene of numerous acts of aggression by Israeli forces and Zionist settlers against the Palestinian citizens.
Last month, a 13-year-old Palestinian boy was attacked by Zionist settlers in al-Khalil. Zidane Sharbati was then beaten and arrested by Israeli soldiers.
On February 5, dozens of Palestinians were injured after Israeli forces opened fire indiscriminately at residents of the city’s al-Arroub refugee camp.
Four children were also wounded after Israeli soldiers fired rubber bullets, live ammunition and tear gas at the Palestinian youths in the camp.
Palestinians in the camp say they are being targeted on a regular basis because the camp lies a stone’s throw away from Israel’s illegal settlements in the city.

A dozen demonstrators were wounded in the crackdown with several others arrested. The clashes erupted after Palestinian and international activists held a rally marking the anniversary of a massacre of Palestinian prayers and the consequent closure of the city’s main street. They also chanted slogans against the Israeli occupation and Tel Aviv’s expansion of its illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling for re-opening of Shuhada Street. Al-Khalil’s Shuhada Street has been closed to Palestinian residents for more than 20 years now after a Zionist gunned down 29 Palestinian worshippers at the Ibrahimi Mosque in 1994. Six years later, following the start of the Second Intifada against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, the Israeli army declared the street a closed military zone. Palestinians say the closure of the central street is disruptive and helps Israel to further solidify its control over the area. Al-Khalil has been the scene of numerous acts of aggression by Israeli forces and Zionist settlers against the Palestinian citizens. Last month, a 13-year-old Palestinian boy was attacked by Zionist settlers in al-Khalil. Zidane Sharbati was then beaten and arrested by Israeli soldiers. On February 5, dozens of Palestinians were injured after Israeli forces opened fire indiscriminately at residents of the city’s al-Arroub refugee camp. Four children were also wounded after Israeli soldiers fired rubber bullets, live ammunition and tear gas at the Palestinian youths in the camp. Palestinians in the camp say they are being targeted on a regular basis because the camp lies a stone’s throw away from Israel’s illegal settlements in the city.