Israeli soldiers fire tear gas and stun grenades against Palestinians in Bethlehem
An Israeli soldier fired tear gas, stun grenades and other tear gas against Palestinians on Saturday in the occupied West Bank, an Israeli military spokesman said.
The incident took place during a demonstration by Palestinian youths in Bethlehem.
“Two Palestinians were detained for throwing stones at an Israeli patrol,” the spokesman, Micky Rosenfeld, said.
“This morning, Israeli forces raided the area and arrested two youths.”
The Israeli army said it arrested two Palestinian youths.
In the past two weeks, at least four Palestinians have been injured by tear gas in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
In February, the Israeli army opened fire on protesters in Jerusalem, killing a Palestinian and wounding dozens.
In July, an officer was shot dead by Palestinian protesters who stormed the police headquarters in Ramallah.
In June, the army opened fires in the West Ramallah neighborhood of the city, killing three people and injuring dozens.
In July, the government of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared a state of emergency in the Palestinian territory, saying the army is targeting its people.
Palestinians say the army has targeted civilians, especially civilians who work in construction and who live in Palestinian neighborhoods, for fear of the army’s retribution for alleged stone-throwing.
On Wednesday, the military said it had arrested nine Palestinians in the Hebron and Hebron-area areas, including a young man from the city of Bethlehem, and that they were being questioned.