GAZA – Four Palestinians were killed and hundreds injured in a new wave of violence over US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians on Friday clashed with Israel forces along different parts of the border as they demonstrated against Donald Trump and his delegates to rescind their controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
On December 6, US President Donald Trump shocked the world when he recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and while the Israelites were happy about the decision – Trump received great criticism across Arab and Muslim countries.
The decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem stirred violence as Palestinians are calling for the international community to avoid Jerusalem and recognise a Palestinian state.
The Palestinian health ministry reported that two people died along the border of Israel and the Gaza Strip, one was shot dead in clashes north of Jerusalem and the fourth member was also shot dead on the outskirts of the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah after he stabbed a police officer.
The ministry also reported that hundreds of injured protesters have been taken to various hospitals where they are receiving treatments.
The new wave of violence comes days before US Vice President Mike Pence is due to visit and meet delegates in Israel.
Pence will no longer meet Palestinian officials after they cancelled the scheduled meetings as a protest against the US government.
“We understand that the Palestinians may need a bit of a cooling off period, that’s fine, we will be ready when the Palestinians are ready to re-engage,” a senior White House official said Friday.
US administration officials said Pence will land in Jerusalem on Wednesday to try to push the Israeli-Palestinian peace process forward.
The death toll has risen to 8, the number of Palestinians killed in violence or air strikes since Trump’s Jerusalem move.
Photo credits – Israel National News
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