Wednesday November 13, 2024

Palestinian killed, 380 injured in "day of rage" in support for Jerusalem

Published : 16 Dec 2017, 02:54

  DF-Xinhua Report
Israeli police arrest a protester in East Jerusalem, on Dec. 9, 2017. Protests against U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel continued on Saturday. File Photo Xinhua.

Yasser Sukkar, 32, was killed Friday after he was shot in the head by Israeli forces in clashes near Nahal Oz in Gaza Strip, announced Ashram Al-Qedra, Gaza health ministry spokesperson.

Medics also reported over 380 Palestinians were injured in Friday's clashes during protests in support for Jerusalem and against United States declaration of Jerusalem the capital of Israel.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society in the West Bank said that 125 Palestinians were injured in Gaza, including 61 by live ammunition, while over 263 others were injured in West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Xinhua cameraman Nael Bweitel was injured lightly during his coverage of the clashes at the northern entrance of Al-Bireh city, near Bet El settlement.

Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza joined Friday rallies and demonstrations in another day of tension called "Friday of rage," in support for Jerusalem and a rejection to the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The participants waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans condemning Trump's decision. They called on Trump to regret the decision, and emphasize that Jerusalem is an Arab, Palestinian and Islamic city.

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar said in a speech he addressed at one of Gaza city mosques during Friday prayers "Our hands are extended to reconciliation but without making any compromise on our interests and our religion."

"These words are directed to the collaborators and traitors with the Jews. The Jews, who were kicked out from Europe, will be kicked out from Palestine. This is the promise of God," he said.

For his part, Jameel Mezher, leader of the Popular Front, said during the demonstration that "our people today rise for Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza Strip and the territories of 1948 to say no to Trump, and stands up against his dangerous decision."

"It is a declaration of war against the Palestinian people. Our people have decided to continue the Intifada and escalate it until Trump retracts his decision," he said.

The left-wing Palestinian group leader said "we are in front of an all-out uprising against Trump's decision and our people can not back down."

Thousands of Palestinians gathered at four points in the central Gaza Strip and formed a human chain along the Nuseirat, Maghazi and Bureij governorates, according to eyewitnesses.

"This huge public participation in Khan Younis expresses our anger at Trump's decision against our capital, Jerusalem," said one of the participants.

Dozens of youths following Friday prayers headed to the points of tension along the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, where Israeli army soldiers are stationed behind the barbed wire.

According to official statistics, four Palestinians were killed and hundreds others were injured in the ongoing confrontations since Dec. 7 in protest against the American decision.