RAMALLAH, (PIC)
A massive blaze broke out at the main vegetable market of Ramallah and Bireh cities on Thursday morning after the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) raided and attacked the area.
According to local sources, the IOF raided the area at dawn, throwing tear gas canisters and stun grenades, causing a fire to erupt, while no one was able to get to the area until the Israeli raid was over.
The Bireh municipality said that tear gas canisters caused the fire at the vegetable market and nearby buildings, adding that over 100 stores and stalls at the commercial complex were affected.
In addition to vegetables and fruits, this commercial zone is also used by merchants and vendors to sell clothes, sweets, household appliances and other commodities, according to the municipality.
The municipality also said that the IOF had prevented Palestinian firefighters from reaching the site to extinguish the flames for over an hour, which led the blaze to spread to other nearby buildings and businesses.
