By In a bid to maintain order in the wake of escalating tensions following the conflict in Gaza, Israeli security forces have enforced strict measures in Jerusalem, particularly around the Al-Aqsa Mosque. These actions come as a response to potential unrest spilling over from the Gaza conflict.
Israeli police maintained a heavy presence around Al-Aqsa Mosque, a long-standing flashpoint, as Palestinians gathered for Friday prayers. Reports emerged of tear gas being fired by the police in response to the growing crowd.
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli military operations took a deadly turn. Four Palestinians lost their lives during raids, as reported by the official Palestinian news agency WAFA. Among the casualties, two were identified as members of Palestinian fighter groups.
In the city of Jenin, Israeli troops came under attack during arrest operations and retaliated, resulting in the death of two men. The Islamic Jihad group confirmed that one of the deceased was a member, and Hamas acknowledged the loss of one of its fighters in the Jenin fighting.
Additionally, two more Palestinians lost their lives in Jenin and Qalqilya, bringing the total Palestinian casualties in the West Bank to 110 since the start of the Hamas-Israel conflict.
Earlier in the day, Israeli forces destroyed a memorial in Jenin dedicated to the slain Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. They also razed the street where she was fatally shot by an Israeli soldier.
In Qalqilya, troops encountered resistance while closing down a shop whose owner was accused of incitement of violence. They returned fire, resulting in at least one injury.
Protests expressing solidarity with the people of Gaza unfolded in various parts of the West Bank. In Hebron, demonstrators gathered to denounce Israeli actions and show support for Palestinian resistance.
However, the Israeli army reportedly used drones to suppress the demonstration, dropping gas bombs on the protestors.
In response to the escalating situation, political forces in Hebron called for a strike and a day of mourning in the governorate and its cities.
In Nablus, video footage indicated that a group of demonstrators was dispersed by Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces, as confirmed by Al Jazeera’s fact-checking unit, Sanad. The demonstrators chanted “Spies! Spies!” about the PA’s forces.
Meanwhile, in Ramallah, a large demonstration took place in solidarity with Gaza residents, predominantly led by young men. This protest came in the wake of the Israeli army’s announcement of a ground incursion into the Gaza Strip.
Across the border in Jordan’s capital, thousands took to the streets to denounce Israel and express support for the Palestinians. Many waved the Palestinian flag, emphasizing their unwavering support for the Palestinian people and the resistance against the ongoing conflict.
As tensions rise in the region, Israeli security forces maintain a firm presence in Jerusalem and the West Bank to manage the aftermath of the Gaza conflict. Protests and demonstrations continue as both Palestinian and international communities grapple with the evolving situation in the Middle East.
