West Bank Tension Intensifies; Six Palestinians Killed
Ron B. Lopez | | Jul 25, 2014 11:16 PM EDT |
A Palestinian stone-thrower kicks a tyre set ablaze during clashes with Israeli police in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Wadi al-Joz during a protest against the Israeli offensive on Gaza July 25, 2014. (REUTERS)
The confrontations between Israel and Palestinians in occupied West Bank have intensified on Friday, with at least six people confirmed dead as Palestinians protested over Israel's invasion of Gaza Strip that killed over 800 people.
The protests, which started after Palestinian officials called for a "day of rage" and marched to condemn Israel's military offensive, have continued in several areas of the West Bank with unarmed Hamas supporters battling Israeli forces with stones and firebombs.
Like Us on Facebook
The protests were considered biggest demonstrations in the past years.
However, Israel confronted the protesters with live-fire offensive, killing six people and injuring hundreds of Palestinians who call for an end to the 18-day Israeli-Hamas war.
The deadliest incident happened in a demonstration near the flashpoint city of Hebron, where three Palestinians were killed during clashes with Israeli forces shooting live bullets, Reuters reported.
No fatalities were recorded on Israel side.
Moreover, a person in a car believed to be a Jewish settler shot dead a man and wounded three others who were walking along a main street near the city of Nablus, where demonstrations were held, Reuters added.
According to Palestinian health officials, the protests are expected to continue until weekend as the death toll in Gaza strip soared to 864 on Friday, most of them were civilian Palestinians, while the number of injured Palestinians reached over 5,700.
Meanwhile, at least 33 Israeli soldiers and three civilians were killed in the violence.
The sudden increase of fatalities was due to the ground invasion launched by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) last wee that mobilized tens of thousands of reservists to join its military power. The invasion was supported by aerial and naval assaults.
The IDF aims to stop Hamas from launching rockets to Israel, which it said has been successful so far.
In its latest report, the IDF said its soldiers found rocket launchers next to a school in the Gaza Strip and accused Hamas of intentionally hiding its weapons cache within civilian population.
While there are reports of truce between the two sides, no formal announcement was made as of late Friday.
The United States has proposed for a week-long ceasefire in a bid to end the bloodshed, but was reportedly turned down by Israel. No further details were discussed.
There are also reports that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a 12-hour humanitarian cease-fire starting on Saturday morning, but it still remains unclear what will be the next step following the temporary halt of their offensives.
TagsIsrael, Palestinian, Hamas, Hamas militants, Israel-Hamas, West Bank, West Bank protest
©2015 Chinatopix All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission
EDITOR'S PICKS
-
Did the Trump administration just announce plans for a trade war with ‘hostile’ China and Russia?
-
US Senate passes Taiwan travel bill slammed by China
-
As Yan Sihong’s family grieves, here are other Chinese students who went missing abroad. Some have never been found
-
Beijing blasts Western critics who ‘smear China’ with the term sharp power
-
China Envoy Seeks to Defuse Tensions With U.S. as a Trade War Brews
-
Singapore's Deputy PM Provides Bitcoin Vote of Confidence Amid China's Blanket Bans
-
China warns investors over risks in overseas virtual currency trading
-
Chinese government most trustworthy: survey
-
Kashima Antlers On Course For Back-To-Back Titles
MOST POPULAR
LATEST NEWS
Zhou Yongkang: China's Former Security Chief Sentenced to Life in Prison
China's former Chief of the Ministry of Public Security, Zhou Yongkang, has been given a life sentence after he was found guilty of abusing his office, bribery and deliberately ... Full Article
TRENDING STORY
-
China Pork Prices Expected to Stabilize As The Supplies Recover
-
Elephone P9000 Smartphone is now on Sale on Amazon India
-
There's a Big Chance Cliffhangers Won't Still Be Resolved When Grey's Anatomy Season 13 Returns
-
Supreme Court Ruled on Samsung vs Apple Dispute for Patent Infringement
-
Microsoft Surface Pro 5 Rumors and Release Date: What is the Latest?