Israeli soldiers clash with Palestinian protesters

Gaza, February 27: For the fifth consecutive day, Israeli soldiers clash with Palestinian protesters over holy shrines in the West Bank city of al-Khalil.

Clashes erupted after Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, Febuary 21, announced plans to add two West Bank holy sites — the Ibrahimi Mosque (Cave of the Patriarchs) and Bilal Mosque (Rachel’s Tomb) — to Israel’s so-called Jewish heritage list.

Palestinian caretaker Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, who joined the Friday prayers in al-Khalil called for calm among Palestinians.

Tel Aviv’s decision has prompted harsh criticism from the international community and even from Israel’s closest ally, the United States. Israeli media have also described the plan as provocative.

This is while people in Syria and the West Bank have held protests against Israeli claims on the mosques.

Hundreds of people have rallied in the Syrian capital, Damascus, saying Israeli action further undermines efforts to resume the long-stalled peace process.

——-Agencies