At least 18 Palestinians wounded during West Bank clashes

At least 18 Palestinians wounded during West Bank clashes
Israeli troops shot and wounded at least 18 Palestinians during clashes in the West Bank on Sunday, as two others are shot dead in Jerusalem after separate stabbing incidents.
2 min read
04 October, 2015
Palestinians clash with Israeli troops [Getty]

Palestinian medic says Israeli troops shot and wounded at least 18 Palestinians during clashes in the West Bank on Sunday.

The clashes broke out as troops surrounded the home of a Palestinian in the Jenin refugee camp. Eyewitnesses say Israeli troops fired a "small missile" at the house.

Monther Irshaid, director of the Khalil Suliman Hospital in Jenin, says two people suffered serious leg injuries.

The Israeli military says a few dozen Palestinians attacked troops with pipe bombs and that troops responded with "riot dispersal means."

The army says troops arrested two Palestinians suspected of "terror activity."  

Also on Sunday, Israeli police began preventing Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem from entering the Old City for two days during a Jewish holiday. Palestinians who live, work and study within the Old City, as well as Israelis and tourists, will be allowed entry.

Stabbing 

Earlier, a Palestinian stabbed and wounded an Israeli teenager in Jerusalem and was then shot dead by occupation forces.

The attack happened less than 12 hours after a Palestinian stabbed two Israelis to death nearby in Jerusalem's walled Old City, and wounded at least two others. The assailant, later claimed by Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad as a member, was killed by police.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to convene an emergency meeting with security officials later on Sunday, his office said, and a security cabinet meeting on Monday.

Israeli police and Palestinians have also clashed frequently at Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam's third-holiest site, and at other Arab parts of the city.

Palestinians have said they fear that increasing visits by Jewish groups to the holy compound are eroding Muslim religious control there.

Israel has pledged to maintain Muslim prayer rights at al-Aqsa, but has frequently banned young Muslim men from entering the area. 

Palestinians want East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, lands Israel captured in a 1967 Middle East war, for a future state. Peace talks collapsed in 2014.