Newbie video shared on social media confirmed a bunch of masked youths gathered in entrance of the towering concrete barrier and chanting slogans as they compelled their manner via a gate.
“Stroll ahead our common followers,” they chanted. “A gap within the separation wall, a patrol explodes.”
Israel’s paramilitary border police stated forces shot a protester who tried to throw a firebomb at them as they got here to disperse an indication. It stated demonstrators threw stones and explosives at them. The Palestinian Well being Ministry recognized the lifeless youth as 18-year-old Fayez Damdoum.
Israel constructed the barrier some 20 years in the past in what it stated was a safety measure meant to forestall attackers from getting into Israel. However the barrier often dips into the West Financial institution, carving off practically 10% of its territory. The Palestinians view the construction as an unlawful land seize and image of Israel’s 55-year navy occupation of the territory.
Israel captured the West Financial institution and east Jerusalem within the 1967 Center East struggle. Some 700,000 Israeli settlers now stay within the two areas, which the Palestinians declare for a future state.
Saturday’s killing got here at a time of heightened tensions. Israel has been finishing up stepped-up navy exercise within the West Financial institution, largely within the northern cities of Jenin and Nablus, following a sequence of lethal Palestinian assaults inside Israel final spring.
In Gaza, 1000’s of individuals attended Saturday’s rally, known as “Al Aqsa is at risk.” Hamas leaders, together with its high official in Gaza, Yehiyeh Sinwar, stood on a stage and addressed the group.
Hamas has beforehand threatened violence in response to what it says are “violations” towards Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the course of the Jewish New 12 months vacation season. Tens of 1000’s of Jews go to town in the course of the vacation, together with giant numbers of people that go to the contested hilltop compound the place the mosque is positioned.
Jews revere the location because the Temple Mount, residence to the biblical Jewish Temples, and contemplate it the holiest website in Judaism. The positioning is the emotional epicenter of the Israeli-Palestinian battle, and the competing claims typically spill over into violence.
Underneath longstanding preparations, Jews are allowed to go to, however not pray on the website. Nonetheless lately, the variety of guests has swelled, with some individuals praying beneath police safety.
These scenes have raised fears amongst Palestinians that Israel is plotting to divide or take over the location — a declare Israel denies.
Rawhi Mushtaha, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, stated Israeli practices have been endangering the mosque, the third-holiest website in Islam.
“The practices of the occupation in Al-Aqsa, the West Financial institution and Palestine herald the good explosion in Al-Aqsa,” he stated.
