16/01/08

A curfew is in place in parts of Hebron this evening after an afternoon of tension between Israeli military and Palestinian youths.

The curfew was imposed during the day after tire fires were started and stones thrown in Baab Iz-Zaawiya in central Hebron, reportedly in response to the killing of at least 20 Palestinians by the Israeli Army in the last 24hrs, most of them in Gaza. Checkpoints around the H2 area of the city remained closed for most of the day.

The army reports that this morning shots were fired from the old city towards the Israeli settlements nearby, however this is unconfirmed.

Also unconfirmed are reports that 3 Palestinians were injured by rubber bullets this afternoon.

Throughout the afternoon the army fired tear gas, sound bombs and rubber bullets towards youths in and around Baab Iz-Zaawiya, who threw stones towards the army. Palestinians also said that live ammunition was used by the army.

Human Rights Workers filmed a soldier kicking a young man while searching him when he passed carrying shopping.

The Tel Rumeida checkpoint 56 remained closed at 6pm, although the situation in Baab Iz-Zaawiya was quiet by that time.