Hamas Protest İn W. Bank Dispersed; 5 İnjured

Palestinian security forces affiliated with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank used teargas, rubber bullets and batons to break up a massive protest staged by Hamas supporters in Hebron to show solidarity with the embattled Gaza Strip, eyewitnesses said.



According to the witnesses, clashes erupted after Palestinian police moved to disperse the protesters in Bab al-Zawya district who threw the troops with stones and bottles.



At least five protesters were injured while dozens suffered temporary asphyxiation after inhaling teargas, they added. Four others were arrested.



Before the clashes, hundreds of Hamas supporters marched from al-Hussein Mosque in Hebron to Bab al-Zawya district, raising Hamas banners and chanting pro-resistance slogans.



Tension has been running high in the Palestinian territories since Israel launched a military operation – dubbed "Operation Protective Edge" – in the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of halting rocket fire from the Palestinian territory.



Since July 7, Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip with fierce aerial bombardments. On Thursday night, Israel stepped up its offensive to include ground operations, sending thousands of troops into the embattled Palestinian territory.



At least 635 Palestinians have been killed – mostly civilians – and more than 4000 others injured in Israel's ongoing offensive, now in its third week.



Gaza-based resistance factions, meanwhile, have continued to fire rocket at Israeli cities in response to relentless Israeli bombardments.



According to official Israeli figures, 28 Israeli soldiers and two civilians have been killed since the hostilities began.



Israel's military operation is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against the densely-populate Gaza Strip – which is home to some 1.8 million Palestinians – within the last six years.



In 2008/9, over 1500 Palestinians were killed in Israel's three-week-long "Operation Cast Lead."



By Qais Abu Samra



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - Ramallah