{EOP}Israhelli forces injure Palestinian youth

Israeli forces fire live bullets at Palestinians commemorating the "Nakba" at the Qalandia checkpoint between al-Quds (Jerusalem) and Ramallah on May 13, 2011.

Israeli forces have shot and seriously wounded a Palestinian teenager and injured several others during the “Nakba” mourning ceremony in East al-Quds (Jerusalem), medics say.

Nakba marks the 63rd anniversary of the occupation of Palestine by the Israeli army and the expulsion of more than 700,000 Palestinians from their land in 1948.

Following the Friday prayers, the Palestinians held protests after the 16-year-old youth was hit by live bullets fired by Israeli forces in the Silwan neighborhood in East al-Quds, AFP reported.

At least nine other Palestinians were also treated for injuries, a Palestinian Red Crescent spokesman said.

Reports said that in other neighborhoods, about 30 people were injured and 34 arrested by Israeli forces.

But Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld claimed that no live ammunition was used, either by security forces or by the illegal settlers who have scattered enclaves in Silwan.

Protests were also held in West Bank towns, including al-Khalil (Hebron), Issawiya, Al-Tur and Ras al-Amud.

Thousands of police have been on high alert across Israel, especially in al-Quds, fearing an outbreak of violence in the run-up to Sunday's commemoration of the “Nakba.”

Israeli police said around 8,000 worshippers turned up for the Friday prayers at the al-Aqsa mosque compound.

Hundreds more were left outside the gates as police blocked entry to men under 45 who did not hold a blue Israeli identity card. 
Presstv