[Saturday, May 24, 2014] Palestinian medical sources said dozens of Palestinians were injured after Israeli soldiers attacked a nonviolent protest in support of the detainees, in Hebron, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.The sources said that the soldiers shot at least one Palestinian with live rounds, while several Palestinians were beaten, and dozens suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The Israeli assaults came after hundreds of Palestinians marched in Hebron, in a protest organized by the Hebron Defense Committee and the National Committee against the Wall and Settlements.
The procession started in the al-Fawwar refugee camp, and headed towards the main bypass road #60.
The protesters carried Palestinian flags, pictures of hunger striking detainees, pictures of detained children, in addition to posters demanding an end to the occupation and the release of all prisoners.
As the protesters arrived at the main gate, installed by the army at the western entrance of the camp, the army closed the gate and showered them with gas bombs and concussion grenades.
Resident Emad Abu Shamsiyya, an activist of the Hebron Defense Committee, was also shot in his right leg after a soldier deliberately fired a gas bomb at him. Dozens of Palestinians have been treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
Bassam Shweiki, also with the Hebron Defense Committee, stated the protest comes in solidarity of the detainees, held under illegal, arbitrary Administrative Detention policies, who started their hunger strike 31 days ago.
“The protest is against this illegal occupation, the entity that imprisons the Palestinians,” Shweiki added. “More support, more protests, are urgently needed in every part of occupied Palestine.”
Rateb Jabour, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements, stated that the Palestinians will continue to support the detainees, and their legitimate struggle for human rights and freedom.
