Footage shows officers posing as protesters before pulling out pistols and seizing stone throwers in West Bank

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Dramatic footage has emerged of plain clothes Israeli troops – known as “mustarabeen” – infiltrating a Palestinian demonstration in Ramallah and arresting stone throwers.

The soldiers, dressed as Palestinian protesters, were caught on camera by AFP journalists during a demonstration near the “DCO” checkpoint to the north of Ramallah, which is a frequent location for stone-throwing protests.

About 100 to 150 Palestinians were protesting near the military checkpoint in the occupied West Bank when a few dozen soldiers moved from further down the street towards the crowd.

Suddenly, several men wearing keffiyehs or balaclavas, including one with a Palestinian flag wrapped around his head, pulled out pistols. One threw a smoke grenade while others fired in the air. The army then rapidly moved towards the remaining protesters, who fled.

Israel’s military said forces including an undercover unit of border police carried out the operation. It said Palestinians threw stones and firebombs at its forces while rolling burning tyres.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Several undercover officers rapidly moved in on about 100 to 150 protesters. Photograph: Abbas Momani/AFP/Getty Images

Israeli forces regularly carry out such operations against stone-throwing protests, in which agents pretend to be demonstrators before turning on the crowd.

The incident on Wednesday was part of demonstrations and clashes that have occurred in the Palestinian territories since Donald Trump, recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital on 6 December.

Four Palestinians have been killed in clashes or by Israeli airstrikes in response to rocket fire from Gaza. One Israeli was seriously wounded in a stabbing attack in Jerusalem.

The footage emerged as Israeli media reported fresh rocket fire from Gaza targeting Israel on Wednesday evening.

At least 13 rockets have been fired from Gaza at Israel since the US president’s announcement, with eight exploding inside Israel

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