11 Palestinians injured in clashes in West Bank, Gaza

RAMALLAH/GAZA, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Clashes broke out in West Bank and the Gaza Strip Friday between the Palestinians and Israeli soldiers, leaving 11 Palestinians injured, according to Palestinian Health Ministry.

Following the Friday noon prayers, dozens of young Palestinians and Israeli soldiers clashed at the border area between eastern Gaza and Israel.

Among the injured, two were wounded with bullets and dozens fainted as they inhaled tear gas, said Ashraf al Qedra, spokesman of Health Ministry in Gaza told.

In the West Bank, the clashes erupted at Ramallah's northern entrance, Nablus city entrance, Aroub refugee camp near Hebron and the south of the West Bank, during which three were injured, one of who in critical condition.

Israel's military said Friday it attacked two Hamas posts in the Gaza Strip after three rockets launched from the besieged Palestinian enclave hit an Israeli building earlier.

The strikes came "in response to the rockets fired towards Israel" earlier on Friday, according to the statement.

Israel's Iron Dome anti-rocket system intercepted two of the rockets but the third one hit a building in a kibbutz, a small rural community, in the regional council of Sha'ar Ha'negev, causing minor damage to the building with no injuries reported.

No group in Gaza immediately assumed responsibility for the rockets but these launches are usually made by the Islamic Jihad and other radical Islamist groups. However, Israel said it held Hamas responsible for any hostility from Gaza and usually retaliates with attacks on Hamas positions.

The incident was the latest round of escalation between Israel and the Palestinians, which was triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Dec. 6. Enditem