Clashes break out in West Bank at protests against Trump's move on Jerusalem

RAMALLAH/GAZA, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Clashes broke out Friday between the Palestinians and Israeli forces in several locations in the West Bank during protests over U.S. President Donald Trump's decision of recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Scores of Palestinians performed Friday noon prayers at the Israeli military checkpoint of Qalandia, north of the West Bank between Ramallah and Jerusalem.

Following the prayers, the Israeli soldiers at the checkpoint threw tear gas bombs and opened fire towards the worshippers in an attempt to disperse them.

Similar clashes were also reported in several locations including Ramallah, Hebron, Qalqilia and Bethlehem, according to local sources.

In Gaza, hundreds marched after the Friday prayers on the Salah Al-Dein highway, which goes from the northern borders of the Gaza Strip towards the southern borders with Egypt.

Islamic Hamas movement leaders in Gaza called on its supporters to head towards the bordering area with Israel and confront with the Israeli soldiers stationed there.

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar said at one of the mosques in Gaza that "our hands are extended to reconciliation but without making any compromise on our interests or our religion."

"Our main project is the liberation of all Palestine, our battle is going on until the liberation of Palestine and this is the promise of God," he said.

Tensions have been escalating in Gaza and the West Bank between Israel and the Palestinians since the declaration of U.S. President Donald Trump last week that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas called for a nationwide day of rage last Friday to boycott Trump's decision over Jerusalem and his order to move the U.S. embassy there.

Six Palestinians were killed and more than 2,000 injured in the wave of tension that dominated the Palestinian territories after Trump's announcement. Enditem