JERUSALEM (AP) — A police spokeswoman in Jerusalem says at least 13 Israeli officers were injured by rock throwers today as police clashed with Palestinian protesters.
The confrontation came as thousands mourned at the funeral for an Arab teen who Palestinians say was killed by Israeli extremists in a revenge attack.
The Red Crescent says about 30 Palestinians were hurt by rubber bullets fired by Israeli forces. Dozens of others were treated for tear gas inhalation.
Police had beefed up security in and around Jerusalem, as the funeral coincided with the first Friday prayer services of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Tensions have been high since three Israeli teenagers, including one with U.S. citizenship, were abducted in the West Bank three weeks ago, sparking a huge manhunt that ended with the discovery of their bodies this week.
Also today, Palestinian militants fired rockets and mortars from the Gaza Strip into Israel. The Israelis later carried out several airstrikes on what they described as “Hamas terror targets” in Gaza.
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154-r-08-(Sound of police firing tear gas, in east Jerusalem)–Sound of teargas being fired in east Jerusalem as tensions remain high ahead of the funeral of an Arab teenager. (4 Jul 2014)
< 155-r-13-(Sound of an Imam calling to Friday prayers, as tear gas is fired near a mosque in east Jerusalem)–Sound of an Imam calling to Friday prayers as tear gas is fired near a mosque in east Jerusalem. (4 Jul 2014) < APPHOTO DV116: Palestinians carry the body of 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir in Jerusalem on Friday, July 4, 2014. Israeli police clashed with Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem on Friday as thousands of people converged on a cemetery for the burial of an Arab teenager, who Palestinians say was killed by Israeli extremists in a suspected revenge attack. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) (4 Jul 2014) < APPHOTO DV115: Palestinians attend the funeral of 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir in Jerusalem on Friday, July 4, 2014. Israeli police clashed with Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem on Friday as thousands of people converged on a cemetery for the burial of an Arab teenager, who Palestinians say was killed by Israeli extremists in a suspected revenge attack. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) (4 Jul 2014) < Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.