Nakba clashes erupt in West Bank
- 12 years ago
Clashes erupt in the West Bank, as Palestinians mark Nakba Day, commemorating 64 years since their displacement after the creation of Israel in 1948.
At the Qalandia checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem, protesting youth throw stones at Israeli military forces who respond with rubber coated metal bullets, stun grenades and tear gas.
In the West Bank city of Hebron, a handful of youth hurl stones and block entrances to the divided city with dozens of rocks
Thousands of Palestinians also attended a march through Gaza City, waving Palestinian flags and holding keys to symbolise the homes they lost when they were displaced.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh addressed the crowd.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HAMAS LEADER ISMAIL HANIYEH, SAYING:
"Despite the passing time he (the Palestinian refugee) is more attached to his land, his rights and Jerusalem. Refugees will return, and to Zionists (who say that old people will die and the young people will forget), we say the old people bequeath and the youth will walk in their footsteps."
Israeli military forces were on high alert along the nation's northern frontier, patrolling the border with Syria.
Last year, violence in the area left at least 13 Palestinians dead following a border breach in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Sarah Sheffer, Reuters
At the Qalandia checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem, protesting youth throw stones at Israeli military forces who respond with rubber coated metal bullets, stun grenades and tear gas.
In the West Bank city of Hebron, a handful of youth hurl stones and block entrances to the divided city with dozens of rocks
Thousands of Palestinians also attended a march through Gaza City, waving Palestinian flags and holding keys to symbolise the homes they lost when they were displaced.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh addressed the crowd.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HAMAS LEADER ISMAIL HANIYEH, SAYING:
"Despite the passing time he (the Palestinian refugee) is more attached to his land, his rights and Jerusalem. Refugees will return, and to Zionists (who say that old people will die and the young people will forget), we say the old people bequeath and the youth will walk in their footsteps."
Israeli military forces were on high alert along the nation's northern frontier, patrolling the border with Syria.
Last year, violence in the area left at least 13 Palestinians dead following a border breach in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Sarah Sheffer, Reuters