Palestinians Hold Large-Scale Riots Across West Bank And Jerusalem

Rioting reported throughout West Bank after prison break; IDF extends closure

JUDAH ARI GROSS and EMANUEL FABIAN

Palestinians were holding large-scale demonstrations across the West Bank and Jerusalem Wednesday evening, some of them violent, in solidarity with the six security prisoners who broke out of Israel’s Gilboa Prison earlier this week.

In at least one case, rioters near the Judea and Samaria Square in the Ramallah district of the West Bank were reported to use live fire against Israeli troops, but missed them. A similar incident occurred at the same place amid a violent demonstration in May, during which two Israeli soldiers were wounded.

Unrest was reported near Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate, in Hebron, Hawara, Azzoun, near Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem, and in other locations in the West Bank.

Two Palestinians were hurt from police’s rubber bullets, and another from a stun grenade during the clashes at Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

In the West Bank town of Beita, two Palestinians were hurt by Israel Defense Force’s live fire, the Red Crescent said.

And in Hawara, at least 100 Palestinians were treated by Red Crescent medics, most of them after they had inhaled tear gas fire by Israeli forces.

Also amid the clashes at Damascus Gate, a bus was struck by stones, reportedly hurled by Palestinian demonstrators. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces said it was extending its closure of the West Bank on Wednesday night, amid fears of escalating violence in the area.

Israeli defense officials also fear that Palestinian terror groups in the Gaza Strip, specifically Islamic Jihad, may renew rocket fire from the enclave in solidarity.

On Wednesday evening Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Israel was “prepared for every eventuality,” following a meeting with the defense minister, public security minister, IDF chief of staff, Shin Bet chief, Israel Police commissioner, Israel Prisons Service commissioner, national security adviser and other top defense officials.