Nablus clashes with IDF leave 10 Palestinians wounded

At least 10 Palestinians were wounded in clashes with IDF troops in Nablus on Friday, according to Palestinian officials and witnesses.

Palestinians said the army used rubber bullets and live fire. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the clashes, but denied using live fire on the protestors.

Over 1,000 Jewish worshipers were bused into the city to visit Joseph’s Tomb, a Jewish pilgrimage site. According to AFP, the worshipers came from nearby Jewish settlements. To protect the visit, IDF soldiers blocked off roads leading to the site, Palestinian witnesses and security sources said.

The Palestinians protested, some throwing stones, before clashes broke out with the army.

A spokeswoman for the military said the army had “escorted” up to 3,000 Jewish visitors to the tomb since Wednesday evening, and that a crowd of some 200 Palestinians had approached the area, throwing stones and burning tires.

Soldiers responded with “riot dispersal” means, she said, but denied that live rounds had been fired.