THE number of Palestinians injured yesterday in clashes with Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank has surpassed 300, Sputnik reported according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society.

Nineteen people were hit by live fire, 91 by rubber bullets and the rest suffered adverse effects from tear gas exposure during scuffles near the flashpoint city of Nablus, north of Jerusalem.

Earlier, the Palestine Red Crescent said that that at least 135 Palestinians were injured: five by live fire, 35 by rubber bullets and another 95 suffered from tear gas exposure.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that a military post near Nablus came under attack yesterday and that there was a shootout but no one was hurt. A manhunt was launched to find the gunmen.

“An attempted shooting attack just took place on a military post adjacent to Nablus in Judea and Samaria. No injuries were reported. Following an extensive search, dozens of bullet casings were found,” the IDF tweeted.

The fighting took place amid toned-down Christmas celebrations as Israel and Palestinian lands under its control remain closed to foreign travellers due to concerns over the spread of the new Covid-19 variant. – Bernama, December 26, 2021.