Israeli forces injure dozens of Palestinians during anti-settlement protests in Beita

Dozens of Palestinians were injured on Friday by occupying Israeli forces at Mount Sabih near the village of Beita in the West Bank, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.

At least 70 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces who shot live gunfire, rubber-coated rounds and stun grenades at protesters who were campaigning against settlement activity.

Out of the 70 injured, 12 Palestinians sustained injuries from rubber-coated steel rounds, according to Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Some of the protesters were injured after falling to the ground while being chased by soldiers, the agency said, adding that around 51 protesters sustained suffocation from tear gas inhalation.

A Palestinian ambulance was also hit with Israeli tear gas canisters that smashed the front windshields.

Locals from Beita, south of Nablus, and other nearby areas have been for several months demonstrating every Friday against the building of the Givat Eviatar settlement on Mount Sabih.

They are also fighting land theft from Beita, in addition to Huwarra and Zatara, intended for creation of a road for the exclusive use of Jewish settlers.

Israeli authorities have used aggressive means to disrupt the protests.

Illegal settlements at Evyatar outpost, located a few kilometres away from Beita, were supposedly evacuated at the beginning of July, following an agreement between the Israeli government and illegal settlers. 

The deal allowed for the wildcat hilltop town to remain under the permanent supervision of the Israeli army, after the settlers left.