'The largest West Bank protest in decades'

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

http://972mag.com/the-largest-west-bank-protest-in-decades/94280/

Thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem march in solidarity with Gaza, in the largest such protest in years. At least two were killed.

At least two protesters were killed and more than 100 wounded in clashes with Israeli security forces in the West Bank and East Jerusalem late Thursday night, as thousands of Palestinians marched from Ramallah to the Qalandia checkpoint, which separates Jerusalem and the West Bank.

The protest, against Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip, was the largest the West Bank has seen in years – according to some Palestinian demonstrators, the largest in decades. As of Thursday night, 805 Palestinians had been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive on July 8.

The West Bank march quickly spread to East Jerusalem, where police were said to be clashing with protesters in the Old City, Silwan, and other neighborhoods. Protests were also reported in Nablus and Bethlehem.

[Israeli]

1. +972 Stream Item

2 Palestinians killed as thousands march from Ramallah to Jerusalem in support of Gaza

Two Palestinians were killed and more than 100 injured in clashes with Israeli security forces, as thousands of Palestinians marched from Ramallah to the Qalandia Checkpoint near Jerusalem late Thursday night. The protest is the largest in the West Bank in decades, and certainly since the start of the Israeli offensive in Gaza more than two weeks ago.

According to Haaretz reporter Amira Hass, Palestinian ambulances, blaring their horns, were streaming in the opposite direction of the march, carrying protesters wounded by Israeli fire at the checkpoint. There were also reports of protests in East Jerusalem.

Earlier Thursday Hamas political bureau head Khaled Meshaal said Hamas was prepared to sign a ceasefire agreement with Israel, as long as Israel’s siege of Gaza is rescinded. In comments made from Qatar, Meshaal underlined that he wants Gaza’s border with Egypt to be opened.

“We want an international airport, we want a seaport, we want an opening to the outside world, and not the situation where we are controlled by a few border crossings that turn Gaza into a huge prison, where no one can leave even for medical treatment or to work […] When we get a clearly worded drafting that guarantees these things, and the international community gives its backing to this draft – than the fire can be stopped, even today,” said Meshaal.

An Israel military spokesman said in a statement that the army was investigating the matter of the deadly hit on the UN-run school in Beit Hanoun. Israel maintains that Hamas militants fired at soldiers from the school, but Palestinians say the school was occupied by civilians fleeing the violence.

A spokesman for the UN’s Palestine refugee agency UNRWA in Gaza said they had received no warning before Israeli forces shelled the Beit Hanoun school that was serving as a shelter. The attack killed at least 17 and injured more than 200 of the displaced civilians who had taken shelter there.

http://972mag.com/nstt_feeditem/2-palestinians-killed-as-thousands-march-from-ramallah-to-jerusalem-in-support-of-gaza/

[4now]

2. They won't be able to keep a lid on world anger for much longer.

No matter how many US politicians the buy.