Live Blog Update| Occupation
This is an entry from: Live: Israel and Hamas claim victory as fragile ceasefire holds

Palestinians strike in show of anger over Israeli violence

18 May 2021 17:22 BST

Palestinian citizens in Israeli-occupied territories, as well as in Israel, are taking part in a grassroots organised national strike on Tuesday.

They are demanding that Israel halts its bombardment of Gaza, which has left at least 213 people, including 61 children dead since 10 May.

The nationwide strike is the first of its kind since the 1936 general strike in Palestine against British Mandate policies aimed at dispossessing Palestinians of their land.

Below we take a look at the situation within Israel and the occupied West Bank.

Haifa: In the northern city, protesters rallied in cars and on foot, as Israeli forces fired tear gas at them. Shops and businesses remained closed because of the general strike.

Jaffa: Hundreds of people came out in Jaffa, waving Palestinian flags and chanting. Heavily-armed police lined the streets in a show of force. 

Nazareth: People waved signs that read “save Sheikh Jarrah” and “al-Quds (Jerusalem) is the capital of Palestine”. 

Hebron: Palestinians sang protest and resistance songs in Hebron and videos shared on social media showed tear gas and sound grenades being used by Israeli forces. Meanwhile, sources confirmed Israel forces had used live ammunition against protesters. Dozens have been injured in the city.

Acre: Children were shown waving Palestinian flags and marching in the streets of the northern city.

Tulkarm: Loudspeakers blasted out messages of support for those resisting Israeli occupation.  

Sakhnin: Roads in the city of Sakhnin were completely cleared of people and cars as Palestinians took part in the mass strike.

Salfit:  According to the Ministry of Health, seven injuries were recorded in the occupied West Bank town, as a result of Israeli action. Local media reports state that live ammunition was used, resulting in the wounding of a man, whose exact injuries are not known.

Jenin: Health officials said dozens of Palestinians have been injured in a crackdown on protesters.

Elsewhere: Protests were held in Qalqilya, Umm al-Fahm and Lod, as well as other places.