Clashes in West Bank as Israel told to halt settlements

Palestinians fought with Israeli security forces in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on Friday as the international Quartet of Middle East peace mediators told Israel to freeze all settlement activity. The skirmishes are a response to Israel announcement to build 1,600 new homes in East Jerusalem.

Reuters

Following Friday prayers, hundreds of protesters in Hebron chanted "thousands of martyrs march to Jerusalem", and several hurled rocks at security forces who responded with tear gas.

Hebron is home to about 160,000 Muslims, but some 500 Israelis and Jews live in a small settlement in the centre of the city, with a heavy Israeli security detail.

In Dir Nizam, near Ramallah, about 100 Palestinians hurled rocks at soldiers, slightly injuring one, the military said.

There were similar altercations at Bilin and Nilin, sites of weekly Palestinian protests against Israel's West Bank "security barrier."

Police were also on high alert in Jerusalem where authorities again prevented men under 50 from attending Friday prayers at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said prayers passed without incident and Jerusalem was generally calm.