Palestinians commemorate Nakba in West Bank

RAMALLAH (AA) – Palestinians took to the streets of the occupied West Bank on Tuesday to mark the 70th anniversary of the “Nakba”, or “Catastrophe” – a term used by Palestinians to refer to the mass eviction of thousands of their fellows from their homes to make way for the state of Israel.

Waving Palestinian and black flags, hundreds marched in the city of Ramallah to the Beit Eil checkpoint north of the city.

As they marched, demonstrators held sculptures of 70 keys and banners bearing the text of UN Resolution 194 that guarantees Palestinian refugees the right to return to their homes.

Israeli forces at the checkpoint fired teargas canisters, rubber bullets and live ammunition to disperse the protesters.

In Hebron and Bethlehem in the southern West Bank, two demonstrators were injured by rubber bullets, while several others suffered temporary asphyxia, according to the Palestinian Red Cross.

On Monday, at least 60 people were martyred and hundreds injured by Israeli gunfire along border of the Gaza Strip during rallies commemorating the Nakba anniversary and relocation of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Angry with the Israeli violence against Gaza protesters, Turkey recalled its ambassador from Israel and the U.S. for consultations. South Africa also recalled its envoy from Israel.

Since the rallies began on March 30, more than 100 Palestinian demonstrators have been killed and hundreds injured by cross-border Israeli gunfire, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.