At least 94 Palestinian citizens have been injured, including one in critical condition, by live ammunition and tear gas fired by Israeli occupation forces IOF invading Nablus last night and early Wednesday morning, August 16, 2023.
Confrontations occurred in the eastern area of Nablus, situated in the northern part of the West Bank, as Israeli forces invaded the Joseph Tomb area, fired tear gas and live ammunition, and attacked Palestinian families.
Medical Response and Injuries
The Palestinian Red Crescent responded to the situation, treating one individual with a serious gunshot wound to the chest, along with assisting 85 cases of gas inhalation.
The PRC crews also provide local treatment for four cases of live bullet fragmentation injuries. Two additional bullet fragmentation injuries were transferred to a hospital.
The PRC Association reported that Israeli forces prevented its medical crews from accessing a case of a fall-related injury in the housing area east of Nablus. The ambulance’s movement was hindered by Israeli forces before being allowed to transport the injured person
Incident Details
Approximately 30 Israeli military vehicles raided the eastern area of Nablus, originating from the “Beit Furik” checkpoint, which had seen a gathering of Israeli forces for several hours.
The IOF initially entered the vicinity around “Joseph’s Tomb,” east of Nablus, to secure protection for settlers invading the area to conduct Talmudic prayers at the site.
As a response to the settlers’ incursions, Palestinian youths ignited rubber tires near the “Eastern Market” and “Al-Ghawi” roundabout, to the east of Nablus, and blocked the entrances to “Amman Street” around the vicinity of Joseph’s Tomb.
Israeli forces fired a dense barrage of tear gas and toxic smoke toward Palestinian youth gathered in several areas along Amman Street. they pelted the military vehicles with stones as a result.
According to Israeli Channel “14,” an exchange of gunfire occurred between Palestinian fighters and Israeli soldiers while securing the settlers’ raids to Joseph’s Tomb, east of Nablus. However, no injuries were reported among IOFs.
Significance of Joseph’s Tomb
Formerly an Islamic mosque, Joseph’s Tomb contained the tomb of a Muslim religious figure named Joseph Douek from the town of Balata. However, after Israel’s occupation of the West Bank in 1967, the Israeli authorities took control of the site, converting it into a “holy Jewish site.”
As August began this year, dozens of Palestinians were injured during the incursion of Israeli forces and vehicles into the eastern area of Nablus. This was part of securing settlers’ incursions into Joseph’s Tomb.
The situation at Joseph’s Tomb has consistently remained tense due to Israeli forces’ continuous raids and settlers’ presence at the site. The Palestinian surrounding neighborhoods have faced repeated assaults and provocations by settlers.
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