

A solidarity protest with the hunger striking Palestinian prisoners jailed in Israeli prisons, outside the Ofer military prison, February 15, 2013. (Photo: Yotam Ronen/ Activestills.org)

Over 1000 protest in front of Ofer prison in support of hunger striking prisoners

Two protesters were injured from live ammunition in addition to dozens from rubber coated bullets during the clashes erupted after the Friday Prayer in front of Ofer prison.

Over a thousand Palestinians took part today in the Friday prayer and protest which was organized by the Popular Committees, titled “Friday of breaking the silence” in support of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike, Samer Isawi, Ayman Sharawneh, Tareq Qa’adan and Jafar Iz Eldin. Protesters called for their release and the release of all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.



(Photo: Ahmad Mesleh)

Upon the end of the Friday prayer, Israeli army started firing immediately sound grenades and tear gas canisters at protesters which lead to clashes with the protesters. The army fired live ammunition; rubber coated steel bullets and tear gas canisters. As a result, over hundred protesters received medical treatment for injuries from rubber coated steel bullets or tear-gas induced asphyxiation. Thirteen protesters were transferred to hospital, two injured from live ammunition in their shoulders and the rest from rubber coated bullets. They are all in stable condition.

In addition to the protest in front of Ofer, the weekly demonstrations in the popular struggle villages were dedicated to support prisoners and clashes erupted in different locations in the West Bank including Jalameh checkpoint, Isawiyeh village, Nabi Saleh, Kufr Qaddoum and others. One young female was hit in head from sound grenade fired directly at her in the village of Nabi Saleh and was transferred to Ramallah hospital.