Dozens of Palestinians hurt in clash with Israeli soldiers

1 January 2013, 23:05 (GMT+04:00)

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Dozens of Palestinians were injured Tuesday in clashes with Israeli soldiers in the northern West Bank town of Tammoun, a local official and medical sources said, dpa reported.

Muhammad Bsheirat, head of Tammoun local council, said undercover Israeli soldiers had entered the town in the morning to arrest a member of the Islamic Jihad. When the unit was discovered by local residents, it called for reinforcements who entered the town in large numbers. Residents threw rocks at the Israeli forces, who fired back tear gas, rubber-coated metal bullets and at times live ammunition, Bsheirat said.

He said the soldiers took over rooftops in the village, as clashes continued, and chased stone-throwing youths into the centre of town and into homes. The soldiers eventually left the town and took over positions in the outskirts, said Bsheirat.

Medical sources said at least 40 people had to receive treatment, mainly for rubber bullet injuries. In all, four required hospitalization.

An Israeli military spokeswoman in Tel Aviv said two soldiers were lightly injured in the fracas after being hit by rocks.