An IDF soldier was lightly injured and at least two Palestinians were killed by IDF gunfire in clashes in the West Bank on Saturday night, amid continuing tensions surrounding Gaza and Jerusalem. According to the Red Crescent rescue service, over 500 Palestinians sustained injuries from clashes, according to Palestinian media.
The IDF spokesperson reported on Saturday night that a Palestinian vehicle attempted to runover IDF soldiers at a military checkpoint near the Mitzpe Eshtamoa Junction in the southern West Bank. IDF soldiers carried out an arrest protocol, including gunfire.
Shortly beforehand, Palestinian media reported that a Palestinian was killed by IDF gunfire near the al-Fawar refugee camp south of Hebron.
Later on Saturday night, a Palestinian was shot and killed by Israeli security forces during clashes near Tulkarm, according to Palestinian reports.
A firefight broke out between Palestinians and Israeli security forces near the Kalandiya checkpoint north of Jerusalem on Saturday night as well, according to Palestinian reports. So far no injuries have been reported.
اشتباكات مسلحة عنيفة مع الاحتلال على حاجز قلنديا شمال القدس المحتلة.#فلسطين pic.twitter.com/XmeoTu1S6s
— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) May 15, 2021
An IDF soldier was reportedly lightly injured in the leg by gunfire during clashes with Palestinians near Kalkilya in the West Bank east of Kfar Saba on Saturday night, according to Israeli media.
Video from earlier in the night published by Palestinian media showed large crowds in Kalkilya carrying Hamas flags and flaming torches marching through the streets.
Over 450 people injured were reported among Palestinians in clashes across the West Bank on Saturday due to tear gas, rubber bullets and live fire from Israeli security forces, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
On Saturday night, Palestinian media reported that a Palestinian was seriously injured on the Temple Mount in a confrontation with Israeli security forces. The Palestinian was transferred to a hospital for further treatment.
Border Police clashed with Palestinians in a number of locations near Jerusalem on Saturday night, including Rachel's Tomb and the Shuafat neighborhood, with over 250 rioters throwing stones, Molotov cocktails and pipe bombs at security forces.Some 30 fires were started in the West Bank as the result of Molotov cocktails, burning tires and other disturbances to the peace, Israel Fire and Rescue Services reported Sunday, adding that Firefighters took cover Saturday as fireworks were fired at them and Molotov cocktails were thrown at them.
The clashes come amid heightened violence in the West Bank and within Israel as part of tensions surrounding Gaza and Jerusalem.