13 Palestinians injured by Israeli forces during anti-settlement protests

JERUSALEM (AA) - Thirteen Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces during demonstrations against illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank on Friday, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

The anti-settlement marches took place in various areas across West Bank, particularly in the town of Beita in Nablus and the town of Kafr Qaddum in Qalqilya.

Israeli forces intervened and used tear gas as well as live and rubber bullets. Palestinians responded by throwing stones.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said in a statement that 13 people were injured by rubber bullets.

A health worker volunteering for the Palestinian Red Crescent was also among the injured, according to the statement.

Israeli and Palestinian estimates indicate that there are about 650,000 settlers in West Bank settlements, including occupied Jerusalem, living in 164 settlements and 116 outposts.

Under international law, all Jewish settlements in occupied territories are considered illegal.

Israeli police began allowing settler incursions in 2003 despite repeated condemnations from the Islamic Endowment Department in Jerusalem.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar in Ankara