JERUSALEM– Israeli cops fired rubber bullets at Palestinians attempting to interrupt a right-wing nationalist march in Jerusalem, while Hamas militants released incendiary balloons into Israel and prompted Palestinians to challenge the marchers, raising the specter that a new spiral of violence might sweep through the area.
Mainly young Israelis, some shouting “Death to Arabs,” marched to the primary entrance to the Old Citys Muslim quarter, where a couple of thousand dancing demonstrators gathered to commemorate Israels objected to control of East Jerusalem.
Ratings of stone-throwing Palestinians took part in running street battles with Israeli security forces, who utilized rubber bullets, batons and water cannons spraying foul-smelling water to scatter those attempting to interrupt the nationalist event outside the Old City walls.
At least 33 people were hurt, including a 14-year-old boy struck by a rubber bullet, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. Israeli police said 2 officers were gently injured which 17 individuals had been jailed throughout the demonstrations.
The surge of violence postures an early test for Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and his two-day-old union government, which need to decide how to respond to restored stress in Jerusalem and the first major attacks from Hamas militants given that the 2 sides accepted a truce late last month to end an 11-day dispute.