Protests in West Bank's Nablus area met with live bullets and tear gas

Murad Abu Karam, an activist from Jabal Sabih in the West Bank district of Nablus, told Middle East Eye that the town was witnessing a wave of very violent confrontations with Israeli forces, who have reportedly been firing live bullets and large amounts of tear gas at protesting Palestinians. 

Abu Karam says that Jabal Sabih has long been threatened with land confiscations, as Israeli settlers seek to establish an outpost - illegal under international law - in the area, leading to regular tensions with Palestinian residents. 

“This time, these confrontations are different from when we’ve gone out to defend our land before,” he said. “This is not just about my hometown, it’s about Jerusalem and about Gaza, which is suffering under bombardment.”

Abu Karam called for journalists to document the ongoing Israeli repression of Palestinian protests. 

“The occupation forces are escalating their crackdown on us and firing live ammunition in the absence of media and journalists covering what is going on,” he added.

Sami Shami, a journalist from the nearby town of Madama, told MEE that he witnessed Israeli forces attempting to arrest a demonstrator who was able to escape with the help of others. 

According to Shami, Israeli forces have been preventing ambulances from reaching key locations and treating Palestinians who are injured. 

“There are a number of key flashpoints of violence in Nablus now, particularly in the villages of Burin, Madama, Beita and Huwayra,” he said.