23 injured in Silwan clashes overnight, Israeli forces shoot Palestinian man, smash windows, stop ambulances

Ma'an - At least 20 Palestinians were injured as of Sunday morning, in clashes with Israeli forces that began Saturday night and continued through the morning in the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood.

Witnesses said one Palestinian was shot with live ammunition and two others were hit by tear-gas canisters during confrontations in the Ar-Rajabi area of Silwan between Israeli border guards, settlers, and residents.

Director of the Wad Hilwa Information Center Jawad Siyam confirmed two Palestinian injuries and said several fainted after border guards fired tear-gas canisters. At least 20 Palestinians required medical attention for tear gas inhalation, Palestinian medical sources said.

The medics added that they had to treat patients in the field as Israeli forces would not allow ambulances to leave the area.

According to witnesses, Israeli border guards deliberately damaged Palestinian cars and smashed the windows of Palestinian homes. Locals said young Palestinians hurled Molotov cocktails toward the Beit Al-Asal house, recently taken over by Israeli settlers, whose residents were said to have sparked clashes.

Two Israeli military patrols sustained damages after young Palestinians pelted them with stones, Israeli media reported, while a spokesman for Israel's national police said two Israeli officers were lightly injured after Palestinians through Molotov cocktails at them. The injured were taken to hospital for treatment, he said.

Troops fired tear gas and percussion grenades and Palestinians said soldiers opened fire in midair, the Israeli online news site Ynet reported.