At least one Palestinian Authority Arab was killed late Thursday night and more than 100 were wounded in a violent march and riot in unprecedented numbers of more than 10,000 protesting Israel’s counter-terrorist war in Gaza.
Unconfirmed reports said that two or possibly three were killed, but Israeli security officials said that that at least one rioter opened fire on police, who responded with rifle shots.
Various organizations and terrorist groups, including Hamas, organized the protest march that began from a U.N.-run village near Ramallah and was met with Israeli police forces near the Kalandia checkpoint in northern Israel
Rioters threw firebombs and rolled burning tires at police, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Arab sources said live bullets also were used in an effort to break disperse the rioters.
Tensions will be high tomorrow, the last Friday in Ramadan and when tens of thousands of Muslims will try to arrive at the Temple Mount.
The Palestinian Authority previously has failed to mount a massive protest, peaceful or violent, against Israel during the nine-month attempt by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to resurrect the “peace process.”
The war in Gaza may be the spark that ignites the renewal of the intifada.