Palestinian protesters throw back tear gas canisters fired by Israeli forces during clashes following a demonstration against the nearby Israeli settlement outpost of Eviatar, in the town of Beita, north of the occupied West Bank, on August 27, 2021. (Photo by AFP)

Ramallah, August 27 (RHC)-- Dozens of Palestinians were wounded as Israeli troops attacked several anti-settlement protests across the occupied West Bank on Friday.  

Two Palestinians were hit by rubber bullets fired by the Israeli troops at a weekly anti-settlement rally in the flashpoint town of Beita, south of Nablus.  The Palestine Red Crescent ambulance service said 26 others suffered breathing difficulties due to inhaling tear gas fired by the Israeli forces.

Since May, Beita has seen intensified clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians protesting against a settlement outpost that has been recently established on Sobeih Mountain by settlers under the protection of Israeli forces.

Israeli forces also fired rubber bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas at participants in an anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, east of Qalqilya City. During the clashes, eight Palestinians were hit by rubber bullets, while scores of others suffered breathing difficulties from inhaling the toxic fumes.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees has called on Israel to exercise restraint in using force against Palestinians.

Israeli troops also suppressed a protest against settlement expansion and settlers’ ongoing attacks on Palestinians and their properties in the Umm al-Shaqhan Village — which is threatened with Israeli seizure — south of al-Khalil (Hebron). The demonstrators stressed their determination to protect their land and to thwart Israel’s plots to expand settlements.

During the protest, a number of Palestinians and foreign activists as well as eight journalists were detained.