Violent protests start in West Bank

Violent demonstrations broke out in several West Bank regions yesterday to protest the Israeli air raids on the Gaza Strip, which reportedly killed more than 200 Palestinians.

The demonstrations, which occurred in places where Palestinians and Israelis come into contact, led to stone throwing and clashes with the Israel Defense Forces.

Protesters threw stones at the Qalandia checkpoint and the Shuafat refugee camp in the Jerusalem area, as well as in Hebron and in Ramallah in the West Bank. Soldiers responded with rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse demonstrators.

In Ramallah, dozens of Palestinians clashed with Israeli soldiers near the settlement of Beit El, to the north of the city. Soldiers who came to push back the Palestinian protesters fired tear gas and rubber bullets.

The Palestinian police also intervened to keep the demonstrators away from Israeli troops, creating a buffer zone.

Several people were treated for tear gas inhalation in the Beit El area. None were seriously injured.

In Hebron, dozens of Palestinians threw rocks at the Israeli soldiers in the old city and Shuhada Street. There were no reports of serious injuries.

Stone throwing was also reported in several villages in the West Bank. Again, no injuries were reported.

Workers in West Bank cities and East Jerusalem staged a general strike yesterday, which is expected to continue today.

The Palestinian government met yesterday afternoon in an emergency session and decided to call for three days of mourning. It also called for an immediate end to the Israeli attacks.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, condemned the raids and said he was in touch with Arab and international leaders to put an end to the Israeli attacks.