Palestinians, Israeli troops clash in West Bank
Palestinians clashed today with Israeli troops in the West Bank a day after deadly clashes killed dozens in the Gaza Strip, the Associated Press reports.
Thick black smoke billowed from burning tires as Palestinians threw stones at Israeli troops, who responded with tear gas. About 200 Palestinians were protesting in the biblical city of Bethlehem while another 100 were demonstrating in the Palestinian city of Ramallah.
Palestinians marked the anniversary Tuesday of what they call their "nakba," or catastrophe, a reference to the uprooting of hundreds of thousands who fled or were expelled during the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation.
Israeli forces killed 58 Palestinians in Monday's clashes in Gaza. Organizers say the weekly protests are meant to bust a decade-old blockade on the territory. Israel says Hamas is using the demonstrations as cover to carry out attacks.