4 Palestinians Killed in Protests Against Jerusalem Move, Total Death Toll at 10

Rasa - The death toll rose to four as Israeli forces violently cracked down on Palestinian protesters in besieged Gaza and the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem on Friday.

News ID: 435368

Date: 16 December 2017 - 21:03

RNA - Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets on Friday in continued protest of US President Donald Trump's announcement last week recognizing Jerusalem, causing clashes with Israeli forces to erupt across the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and besieged Gaza Strip, Ma'an News Agency reported.

The clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces left four dead and hundreds wounded Friday by live ammunition and rubber coated steel bullets. Six more have been killed during clashes this week, bringing the total death toll to 10.

Local media reported that an 18-year-old Palestinian, Muhammad Amin Aqel al-Adam, died after being shot by the Israeli military during Friday protests near the West Bank city of Ramallah, Al-Jazeera reported.

Another Palestinian in the occupied West Bank was killed under similar circumstances hours earlier.

Two Palestinians in the Gaza Strip died after being shot by Israeli forces during border protests.

The protests are in response to US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital on December 6.

One of the men killed, 29-year-old Ibrahim Abu Thurayya, had lost his legs in previous Israeli offensives on the blockaded strip.

Palestinians have taken to social media to honour Abu Thurayya. Palestinians are also sharing a video of slain protester Abu Thurayya calling on Palestinians to protest Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a move that has been widely condemned by world leaders.

US President announced last Wednesday that Washington would be recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital and ordered that work on the relocation of the American embassy from Tel Aviv to al-Quds begin.

The move was hailed by Israel but condemned by the rest of the international community as one which undermines the peace talks.

Washington’s al-Quds move has raised a chorus of outcry across the international community. The Muslim world, the UN, world leaders from Europe to the Middle East to Australia, and even US allies in the West have criticized the bid, saying it would plunge the already tumultuous region into new upheaval.

Heavy clashes also broke out between Israeli troops and Palestinian protesters after Washington's decision in Jerusalem al-Qud's Old City, Hebron (al-Khalil), Bethlehem and Nablus in the West Bank as well as the besieged Gaza Strip.

According to reports, thousands of Palestinians were wounded by Israeli army's fire during protests against the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, while hundreds more were detained by Israeli forces and police.

People in different countries have also hit the streets to denounce Trump's recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in a statement issued following an extraordinary summit in Turkey's Istanbul on Wednesday, declared East Jerusalem the capital of Palestine "under occupation" and urged the US to withdraw from the peace process and back down from its Jerusalem decision.

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