Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces in Nablus

Palestinian leaders have called on the international community and human rights groups to intervene to stop the ‘extremist’ Israeli government from escalating violence in the West Bank.

Violent clashes erupted as the Israeli military used drones to drop tear gas and the operation ended with the arrest of Ahmed Al-Masry, 17, a Lions’ Den member.

Palestinian protesters hurl rocks and masked gunmen fire their rifles amid clashes with Israeli security forces deploying during a raid in the old city of Nablus, in the occupied West Bank.

The offensive took place after Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as Israel’s prime minister, heading what analysts call the most right-wing government in the country’s history.

At least 35 Palestinians were injured by Israeli soldiers during clashes in downtown the northern West Bank city of Nablus, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said in a statement.

Two of the wounded were shot by live bullets, three by rubber-coated metal bullets, and 25 suffered respiratory damage after inhaling teargas fired by the Israeli soldiers to disperse Palestinians who were throwing stones at them.

Local sources and eyewitnesses said an Israeli army force stormed downtown Nablus.

Since March, the Israeli army has been carrying out daily raids against Palestinian towns and cities in the West Bank, mainly the cities of Nablus and Jenin, following a series of attacks carried out by Palestinians that killed around 30 Israelis.