Settlers entered Bab al-Amoud Square in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem as part of the so-called “flags march”, while the occupation forces assaulted a number of Palestinians despite their evacuation from the area, amid the resistance factions vowing to respond to the so-called “flags march” that was launched in occupied Jerusalem.
Amidst the settlers dancing in the square, the occupation forces assaulted a Palestinian woman who raised the Palestinian flag, while 27 Palestinians were injured in confrontations with the occupation forces in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Prior to the start of the settlers’ march in occupied Jerusalem, the Israeli occupation forces evacuated dozens of Palestinian youths, who had gathered in Bab al-Amud Square in occupied Jerusalem.
Al-Jazeera
West Bank confrontations
Clashes erupted between Palestinian youths and the Israeli army in areas of the occupied West Bank, and Anadolu Agency reported that the youths threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli army, and lit rubber tires, while the army responded by firing tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets.
In the south of the West Bank, the Israeli army suppressed a march in the city of Bethlehem, which left from Bab Al-Zaqaq area, passed through Al-Quds-Hebron Street, and reached the northern entrance to Bethlehem in the vicinity of the Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque, denouncing the settlers’ march.
Dozens of participants suffocated from inhaling tear gas.
The city of Hebron also witnessed clashes with the Israeli army at the entrance to Al-Aroub camp (north of the city), during which dozens of people suffocated from tear gas inhalation.
In the center of the West Bank, clashes erupted in Ramallah, at the Beit El checkpoint (the northern entrance to the city), during which a number of young men suffocated.
In Gaza, angry demonstrations erupted with the participation of hundreds of Palestinians, rejecting the “flags march”, and the Anatolia correspondent in the Gaza Strip reported that the participants in the march raised Palestinian flags, and chanted slogans, including “Jerusalem is ours” and “On Jerusalem we go, young men by the millions.”
Today, Palestinian youths launched incendiary balloons from the border strip (east of the Gaza Strip) towards the adjacent Israeli areas.
Earlier, a Palestinian youth was wounded – today, Tuesday – by the Israeli army’s bullets, near the separating security fence (south of the Gaza Strip).
Occupation forces intensify their presence in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem ahead of the launch of the so-called “Flags March” (French)
Faction warning تحذير
For its part, Palestinian factions called for stationing in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the general alarm in all Palestinian areas and within the Green Line.
The Palestinian factions – which described the march as a provocation – called for a “day of rage” in Gaza and the West Bank. The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) warned of renewed hostilities if the march went ahead.
Palestinian activists sent calls on social networks to gather in Bab al-Amud in conjunction with the provocative march.
Serious repercussions
Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh also said on Twitter, “We warn of the dangerous repercussions that may result from the intention of the occupying power to allow extremist Israeli settlers, to proceed with the march of flags in occupied Jerusalem.”
“Tensions are escalating again in Jerusalem in a very fragile and sensitive security and political situation, at a time when the United Nations and Egypt are participating in consolidating the ceasefire,” the United Nations envoy to the Middle East, Tor Wencesland, wrote on Twitter.
“I urge all concerned parties to act responsibly and avoid any provocation that could lead to another round of confrontations,” he added.
On the other hand, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said that the Israeli army will increase the deployment of Iron Dome batteries, for fear of renewed rocket fire from the Gaza Strip against the background of the march.
The Israeli police rejected – earlier this month – the request of the Israeli right-wing organizations to organize the march last Thursday; But under pressure from former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, its organization was approved on Tuesday.
The march was scheduled to be organized last month on the occasion of the anniversary of the occupation of East Jerusalem, according to the Hebrew calendar; But it was postponed following the aggression on Gaza.