By Aysar Al-Ayas
RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - At least one Palestinian was injured and dozens of others suffered asphyxiation from teargas during clashes with Palestinians in Tuqu town, near Bethlehem city, in the southern occupied West Bank.
Speaking to Anadolu, Mohammad Al-Badan, the town's mayor, said the Israeli army raided Tuqu, triggering clashes with Palestinians.
He added that the Israeli forces opened fire at the Palestinians using bullets, stun grenades and teargas canisters, resulting in an injury to one youth who was taken to hospital.
Tuqu town is subject to regular Israeli army incursions that prompt clashes between the army and residents.
Over the past few years, the Israeli military has conducted regular raids in the West Bank, which have escalated with the beginning of the war on Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. Palestinians have also been violently attacked by illegal Israeli settlers.
At least 807 Palestinians have since been killed and over 6,450 others injured by Israeli army fire in the occupied territory, according to the Health Ministry.
The escalation follows a landmark opinion in July by the International Court of Justice that declared Israel's decades-long occupation of Palestinian land "illegal" and demanded the evacuation of all existing settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara