A Palestinian demonstrator stands near burning tires during clashes with Israeli troops at a protest against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, near the West Bank city of Nablus December 15, 2017. (photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMAD TOROKMAN)
Four Palestinians were shot dead and 150 others were wounded with live IDF fire on Friday, in the latest round of violence that erupted between Arabs and Israeli police during a new Palestinian "day of rage" throughout the country.
Most of the casualties were on the Gaza Strip border, where thousands of Palestinians gathered to hurl rocks at Israeli soldiers beyond the fortified fence. Medics said two protesters, one of them wheelchair-bound, were killed and 150 wounded.
In the West Bank city of Ramallah, a terrorist was shot dead after he stabbed a Border Police officer, moderately wounding him.
The terrorist was neutralized by ISraeli troops shortly after and taken from the scene by a Red Crescent ambulance. The Israeli army said it was investigating reports the assailant, 19-year-old Mahmoud Iman was carrying an explosive vest.
Medics in the West Bank said the assailant and another Palestinian were killed and 10 wounded by IDF gunfire.
Israel Police also said that they were investigating whether the assailant was dressed as a journalist and if that was the reason he was able to get close to and attack the officer.
Picture allegedly showing #Palestinian who lightly injured #Israel(i) border police officer in stabbing attack near #Ramallah. Authorities checking if he was wearing a suicide vest or if it’s fake pic.twitter.com/onGgVQ67dz
— Anna Ahronheim (@AAhronheim) December 15, 2017
The above video, which appeared on Palestinian television and shared on social media, shows the aftermath of the stabbing in Ramallah.
Clashes also broke out in east Jerusalem, Qalandiya, Hebron and Bethlehem.
Two people were arrested in Jerusalem after Friday prayer services turned into violent riots of Palestinians chanting "with blood and spirit, we will liberate al-Aksa" and "Jerusalem is an Arab city."
HAPPENING NOW: Police disperse protesters at Damascus Gate pic.twitter.com/ZwSGrEYvK0
— Udi Shaham (@udi_shaham) December 15, 2017
Police heightened security measures throughout the Old City and its gates, after having clashed with protesters in east Jerusalem throughout the week as the city's Arab residents have been "raging" against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Police have arrested about 80 residents of east Jerusalem as of Thursday.
— Udi Shaham (@udi_shaham) December 15, 2017
In Bethlehem, Several were lightly wounded, three were evacuated by ambulance after dozens of masked Palestinian youth clashed with police. At noon, forty men and youth with signs denouncing US president Donald Trump and calling Jerusalem the capital of Palestine marched toward the security fence near Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem, a popular spot for Friday protests.
Israeli soldiers used tear gas to disperse the protesters.
More youth arrived with Molotov cocktails, slingshots and stones and started a fire that blackened the sky using tires near the Jacir Palace Hotel. It is the second Friday “day of rage” since the US recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Palestinian Red Crescent reported that 263 Palestinians were wounded on Friday throughout the West Bank.
In the Gaza Strip some 3,500 Palestinians demonstrated at nine different locations along the border fence, burning tires and throwing stones at IDF troops.
Video of protesters #Palestinian running from tear gas fired by #Israel forces near Jacir Palace #Bethlehem pic.twitter.com/q84mwS3q30
— Seth Frantzman (@sfrantzman) December 15, 2017
This comes after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a passionate speech at an emergency session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul Wednesday, organized by Turkish President Rajab Tayyip Erdogan.
Anna Ahronheim and Reuters contributed to this report.