Overnight clashes erupt in Jaffa

Published October 7th, 2015 - 06:55 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

At least three Israeli police officers were injured late Tuesday as Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces in the coastal city of Jaffa following a demonstration in support of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, witnesses and Israeli media said.

Hundreds of Palestinians took part in rallies in the center of Jaffa, just south of Tel Aviv, to show solidarity with the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, a Ma'an reporter said.

Participants chanted slogans condemning Israeli violations at the mosque compound and raised Palestinian flags and banners of the Islamic Movement in Israel.

Demonstrators had gathered in cars and motorbikes in Jaffa's main square to protest against Israeli restrictions at the holy site, with many participants blocking roads in the area.

Israeli media reported that the crowds threw rocks at Israeli forces after they tried to disperse the demonstration, wounding three policemen.

A bus and several vehicles were also damaged during the clashes, with tires and trash set alight.
 
Two Palestinians were detained by Israeli police, Israeli media said.
 
The demonstration in Jaffa comes amid a day of fierce clashes across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, with Palestinian medics reporting up to 129 Palestinian injuries in clashes with Israeli military forces.
 
The reported injuries on Tuesday will bring the total injured since Saturday to over 600. Of those, Israeli forces have shot 49 with live rounds.
 
Tensions had been mounting steadily for weeks across the occupied Palestinian territory due to Israeli restrictions on Palestinians seeking to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem.

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