Israeli soldier presses his knee into the neck of a Palestinian youth, Hebron, May 11, 2012. (Photo: Mussa Qawasma)
Reaching a new height in protests supporting the 2,500 Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike, thousands demonstrated in cities across the West Bank yesterday. Marches were held in Hebron, Kafr Qaddoum, Nablus, Nabi Saleh, Ni'lin, Ramallah, al-Walaja and outside of Ofer prison.
Protest tent, Nablus, May 11, 2012. (Photo: Ahmad Al-Bazz/ActiveStills)
Demonstrators at this week's Friday protest in Nabi Saleh carry signs in support of hunger strikers, May 11, 2012. (Photo: International communities against Israel)
For almost a full week activists have gathered daily outside of Ofer prison, a large West Bank facility known for warehousing political prisoners, and the site of military trials for administrative detainees. Today journalists on the ground reported the Israeli military shot tear gas canisters, rubber coated bullets, water cannons, and "skunk water" sprayed from a large tank, resulting in 31 injuries. Separately, demonstrators in Kafr Qaddoum said live ammunition was fired.
Protestors prepare to burn tires.
Palestinians demonstrate in al-Walaja, near Bethlehem, May 11, 2012.
Palestinian children holding hand-made sign, Nabi Saleh, May 11, 2012.
By Ofer prison a "protester was hit now in head from tear gas canister," said Journalist Abir Kopty in a Tweet earlier yesterday. Kopty along with demonstrators Tweeted updates throughout the day, describing the array of crowd dispersal tactics used on the activists.
In response protestors threw stones and burned tires.
Protestors and the Israeli military outside of Ofer prison. (Photo: Abbas Momani/AFP)
Protestors clashing with the Israeli military, Kafr Qaddoum. (Photo: Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP)
Protestors near Ofer prison, May 11, 2012. (Photo: Abbas Momani/AFP)
A cross-section of the West Bank, including children, women and prisoners' families, took part in today's actions. Also in Ramallah members of Fatah, Hamas and PFLP were spotted chanting in unison.
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