Police officer lightly wounded by explosive device in West Bank riot

During protests outside Jerusalem, masked Palestinian youths burn tires, shoot fireworks and throw stones at officers

By ToI Staff 14 July 2018, 12:42 am

Edit

An Israeli soldier fires a rubber bullet towards Palestinian protesters during clashes near Nablus, in the West Bank on July 13, 2018. ( AFP PHOTO / JAAFAR ASHTIYEH)

A Border Police officer was lightly wounded on Friday when Palestinians threw an explosive device at the force during a West Bank riot, police said.

The incident occurred as Palestinian protesters burned tires, threw rocks, shot fireworks and tossed at least one explosive device at the officers during a violent riot in the West Bank town of Abu Dis, just outside Jerusalem.

The officer was taken to the Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem in Jerusalem with an injury to his hand, police said.

“The remains of the device were collected by the officers for further investigation in order to identify the terrorist behind the attack and to help arrest him,” police said.

Part of an explosive device thrown at Israeli police officers during a riot in the West Bank town of Abu Dis on July 13, 2018 (Police Spokesperson)

Following Friday prayers there were clashes in several places across the West Bank, with Palestinian throwing rocks at the Israeli troops, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

There were much larger demonstrations and riots along the Gaza border.

The Israeli military said thousands took part in the demonstrations, and that soldiers were attacked with grenades, bombs, Molotov cocktails and rocks. Troops responded with less-lethal means and fired live rounds in certain cases, including at one person who tried to cut through the security fence.

An IDF officer was moderately wounded when a grenade was hurled at him by assailants during clashes at the border fence, the army reported Friday night.

The military said soldiers fired back at the attackers and identified hitting them. The officer was rushed to Beersheba’s Soroka Medical Center and has family has been notified.

Earlier the Hamas-run health ministry said a 15-year-old Palestinian was killed during the clashes with the Israeli army along the Gaza border.

Gaza officials said 220 others were hurt in the riots. Most were treated at the scene, while several dozen were taken to hospital. Friday’s violence was held under the banner of “Identifying with Khan al-Ahmar,” a West Bank Bedouin village whose planned demolition by Israel is being debated at the High Court.