As protests against Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel continue, Israeli forces reportedly killed four Palestinians and injured dozens more on Friday by firing live ammunition at demonstrators, according to medical sources. Reuters reports that most of these casualties occurred at the Gaza border, where thousands of Palestinians gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers across the border. Medical sources indicate that two of the protesters killed included a disabled individual in a wheelchair, with 150 others injured. In the West Bank, doctors report that two demonstrators were killed and at least ten others injured by Israeli gunfire. Israeli police stated that one of the deceased was an individual who had attacked Israeli forces with a knife. An eyewitness told Reuters that the man was holding a knife and wore something resembling a vest or explosive belt, but a Palestinian doctor who assisted in transferring the man for treatment claimed it was a fake explosive belt. Trump's decision on December 6 to end decades of U.S. policy of non-intervention in Jerusalem has sparked outrage among Palestinians and the Arab world. Reuters notes that Washington's European allies and the Russian government have also opposed this decision. The Hamas group, which controls Gaza and does not accept coexistence with Israel, called for a new uprising by Palestinians last week. However, such a widespread movement has not yet occurred in eastern Jerusalem and the West Bank. Almost every night, rockets are fired from Gaza into Israeli territory, but so far there have been no casualties. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes on Hamas targets, killing two Hamas fighters in one of these attacks. The Israeli army stated that about 3,500 Palestinians protested near the Gaza border on Friday. In a statement, the Israeli army claimed that 'during the violent riot, Israeli soldiers only fired at the main instigators and rioters.' An Israeli army spokesperson declined to comment on the killing of the individual in the wheelchair. According to Reuters, this individual, named Ibrahim Abu Thuraya, 29, was someone who always participated in protests. He had stated in interviews that he lost both of his legs during Israeli airstrikes on Gaza in 2008. The Israeli army also reported that around 2,500 Palestinians participated in protests in the West Bank, throwing stones and incendiary bombs at Israeli soldiers and border guards.
Four Killed and Dozens Injured in Friday Protests in the West Bank and Gaza
On Friday, Israeli forces killed four Palestinians and injured dozens during protests against Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The protests primarily took place at the Gaza border and in the West Bank, with significant casualties reported, including a disabled man in a wheelchair. This escalation highlights ongoing tensions in the region and the backlash against U.S. foreign policy.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Israeli forces killed four Palestinians and injured dozens more during protests against the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The protests occurred mainly at the Gaza border and in the West Bank.
- Four Palestinians were killed, including a disabled man in a wheelchair.
- Protests were in response to Trump's decision on Jerusalem, sparking regional and international backlash.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital by the U.S. breaks with decades of international consensus and has been met with widespread condemnation.
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%