Palestinian Authority forces crack down on rallies across the occupied West Bank after the hospital ‘massacre’ in Gaza

Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces used live fire to disperse protests that erupted across the occupied West Bank, over Israel’s bombing of a Gaza hospital that has killed at least 500 people.

Local media reported hundreds of people rallying after the bombing in Ramallah, Hebron, Jenin, Tulkarm, Tubas, and other cities. 

Protesters marched towards local PA headquarters, demanding more action to confront Israel and support the Gaza Strip.

Israel began bombing Gaza on 7 October when Palestinian fighters launched a surprise assault on Israel, which killed more than 1,400 people.

Retaliatory Israeli air strikes have killed more than 3,500 Palestinians in 12 days, including more than 1,000 children and 1,000 women. Around one million have been displaced and forced to take shelter in hospitals and schools as Israel tightens its siege of the enclave.

PA forces attacked protests on Tuesday using live fire and other dispersal methods, wounding at least one person in Tubas.

Footage aired on Al Jazeera showed a Palestinian armoured vehicle attempting to run over protesters in Ramallah, the headquarters of the PA. 

Meanwhile, local media reported shooting attacks taking place against Israeli settlements and military checkpoints across the West Bank.

Exchanges of fire were reported in Jenin, Nablus and Ramallah, Hebron and Tulkarm.

Protests also spread across occupied East Jerusalem. Confrontations between Palestinians and Israeli forces were reported in the neighbourhoods of Silwan, Shufat, Wadi al-Joz, and Kafr Aqab. 

Local media reported the Israeli forces were using live fire, tear gas and skunk water to disperse the protests. Nearby Ramallah, in the village of Nabi Saleh, Israeli forces shot dead one Palestinian protester, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Israeli soldiers and settlers have killed at least 61 Palestinians since 7 October, including 18 children. 

The outbreak of these protests in the occupied West Bank highlights the anger that has been brewing against PA President Mahmoud Abbas, whose security forces have faced criticism for their coordination with Israel.

Abbas on Tuesday cancelled a planned meeting in Jordan with US President Joe Biden, opting to return on a Jordanian helicopter back to Ramallah, where the PA is based.