Israeli forces fire tear gas at 2 schools in Beit Ummar
Published Monday 11/11/2013 (updated) 12/11/2013 14:06
HEBRON (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters into a school and a kindergarten north of Hebron Monday after protestors nearby threw rocks at an Israeli patrol in the area while marking the death of Yasser Arafat nine years ago.
Palestinian protesters were throwing rocks at an Israeli military patrol passing through the Aseeda neighborhood of Beit Ummar when Israeli forces responded by firing rubber bullets and launching large numbers of tear gas grenades onto the main street of the southern West Bank city.
Zahrat al-Madain Girls' School and a nearby kindergarten were evacuated after tear gas canisters were fired by Israeli troops towards the buildings.
Spokesman of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar Mohammad Ayyad said that the administrations of the school and kindergarten decided to send students home to protect them from the heavy fumes of the tear gas.
A number of students suffered injuries as a result of inhaling the tear gas.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.