Gazans riot, throw stones at IDF troops along border fence

Following a day of protests in and around the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem on Friday, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip staged riots, throwing rocks and other objects at Israeli troops across the Gaza border fence.

Dozens of Gazans also burned tires along the fence in view of security forces stationed on the Israeli side of the border.

The IDF said it was looking into Palestinian reports that some of the protesters were wounded at the scene after soldiers fired at the demonstrators, according to an Army Radio report.

Earlier on Friday, the unrest inspired protests against Israel in Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon.

During the clashes that erupted in the afternoon hours in and around Jerusalem, three Palestinians were reported killed, as thousands demonstrated against the installation of metal detectors at the entrances to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. The upgraded Israeli security measures at the Temple Mount were introduced after three Arab Israelis shot dead two Israeli police officers on duty there last Friday, using guns they had smuggled into the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Palestinian medical officials said all three died of gunshot wounds. Israel said it was investigating the reports.

The Palestinian Authority’s official Wafa news agency said a 17-year-old was killed in Ras al-Amud outside the Old City after being shot by a “settler,” though no shooter was identified; the term is often used by Palestinians to refer to any Israeli out of uniform. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the teen as Muhammad Mahmoud Sharaf from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan.

A second person was reportedly shot in the A-Tur area and died of his wounds at Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem. He was identified by Palestinian media as Muhammad Hassan Abu Ghanem. The Wafa agency did not give his age or his place of residence.

The third death reportedly occurred in Abu Dis in the West Bank, near Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The fatality was identified as Muhammad Lafi, 18, from Abu Dis, by Palestinian media.

The three were laid to rest Friday evening.

Over 200 people were reported injured in the clashes across Jerusalem and the West Bank on Friday, the Palestinian Red Crescent said, adding that the injuries were incurred from live bullets, rubber-coated bullets, burning and tear gas inhalation.

Israel Police said they used crowd dispersal means to counter the clashes, and were aware of two people injured who were taken to the Makassed Hospital.

At least one Israeli police officer was injured in the clashes.