Tension escalated on Tuesday in Jerusalem and other occupied Palestinian areas as extremist Jewish settlers rallied in the holy city for their annual provocative march.
According to local sources at least six Palestinians have been arrested by Israeli police forces so far and dozens more were assaulted and violently removed from the Bab al-Amud (Damascus Gate) plaza leading to the Old City.
Barriers were set up by the Israeli police on the roads leading to Bab al-Amud and other streets of the Old City which have been sealed off to prevent entry of Palestinians.
Ambulance crews from the Palestinian society of Red Crescent have been deployed in the Old City of Jerusalem and other flashpoint areas across the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Red Crescent in Jerusalem in particular summoned all its employees and volunteers to help wounded citizens and opened a field hospital at its headquarters in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of as-Suwannah neighborhood to treat minor and moderate injuries.
At least 13 ambulances are on standby in east Jerusalem in addition to three ambulance trailers within the Old City according to the medical society.
Meanwhile police forces have blocked access to the plazas of Bab al-Amud and Bab al-Sahira near the Aqsa Mosque and used violence to force Palestinians mostly youths away from the area.
Many businesses and vendors in the Old City’s streets had to shut down their activities today to avoid acts of harassment and violence from police forces.
Until now over 30 Palestinians were reportedly injured during skirmishes with police forces in the vicinity of the Old City.
An Initial report from the Red Crescent said that three citizens were wounded with rubber bullets one was physically assaulted and another was injured by a stun grenade but later the number of the wounded increased to 33 citizens.
Footage shared on social media showed several policemen beating up a Palestinian man near Bab al-Amud and dragging him down a flight of steps.
The Jewish flag march is an annual provocative event held to celebrate the anniversary of Israel’s 1967 occupation of Jerusalem’s eastern part and claim sovereignty over the occupied city. As they march settlers chant “Death to Arabs” and other racist slurs and embark on attacking Palestinians homes and stores in the Old City. Previous marches saw such violent and provocative practices which took place in full view of police officers.
