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PRCS: 47 Palestinians injured by Israel forces in West Bank

June 19, 2021 at 1:04 pm

Israeli forces deploy following a reported attack at the Qalandia checkpoint between the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, on June 12, 2021 [ABBAS MOMANI/AFP via Getty Images]

Israeli forces have injured at least 47 Palestinians on Friday in the northern West Bank when they used tear gas and fired rubber bullets to disperse an anti-settlement rally, Anadolu Agency reported.

According to a Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) statement, the injuries took place during clashes with Israeli forces in the town of Beita, in the southern city of Nablus.

The statement confirmed that 42 Palestinians were suffocated due to gas inhalation and pepper spray, while five others were injured by rubber-coated bullets.

It added that most cases were treated in a Red Crescent field hospital, with the exception of three who were taken to hospital.

Read: Israel shoots, kills 15-year-old Palestinian in Nablus

Following weekly Friday prayers, a rally of Palestinians demonstrating against Israeli settlements on their land was met with Israeli tear gas canisters, pepper spray and rubber-coated bullets.

Palestinians hold regular protests in Beita against Israeli settlements in Jabal Sbeih.

In recent weeks, four Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in Beita during anti-settlement rallies.

According to Israeli and Palestinian figures, around 650,000 Israeli settlers live in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem in 164 settlements and 116 settlement outposts.

International law regards both the West Bank and East Jerusalem as occupied territories and considers all Jewish settlement-building activities illegal.