9 Palestinians injured in pro-prisoners protests near Ramallah: Medics

At least nine Palestinians were injured on Thursday when Israeli soldiers dispersed by force a Palestinian demonstration in support of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, medical sources said.

Dozens of Palestinians demonstrated near the Israeli settlement of Beit Eil, north of the West Bank city of Ramallah, and clashed with Israeli army forces.

Witnesses said demonstrators chanted slogans in support of thousands of Palestinian prisoners, who have been going on a hunger strike for 11 consecutive days, and clashed with the Israeli soldiers.

Medical sources said that Israeli soldiers dispersed the demonstrators with tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition, adding that nine were shot and lightly injured, and dozens fainted because of the tear gas.

Around 7,000 Palestinian prisoners began in April 17 a hunger strike that gradually spread out in Israeli jails, with hundreds joined, including prisoners sentenced for life imprisonment.

In Gaza and the West Bank, hundreds of Palestinians went on for a one-day hunger strike in solidarity with the striking prisoners. Supporters took to the streets and put up tents in big towns in the territories.

The Palestinians insist that Israel freed all the prisoners from its jails, and demand that this be put in any future permanent peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Israel said prisoners with blood on their hands wouldn't be released. Endit