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Undercover Israeli police dressed as Palestinians arrest West Bank protesters

Undercover officers drew their weapons threw stun grenades

Jon Sharman
Thursday 14 December 2017 00:58 GMT
Undercover Israeli police arrest Palestinian demonstrators during clashes following protests against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the West Bank city of Ramallah
Undercover Israeli police arrest Palestinian demonstrators during clashes following protests against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the West Bank city of Ramallah (AP)

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Undercover Israeli police pounced on Palestinians demonstrators near Ramallah, arresting three of the protesters.

The detentions came during a stone-throwing protest on the outskirts of the West Bank city, police said.

The Israeli officers were disguised and, according to two reports, carried Palestinian flags, before they drew their weapons and made the arrests.

The demonstration took place days after Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Israeli Police said on Twitter: "Today, the Border Police undercover unit arrested 3 suspects, during serious civil disturbances in Ramallah. During the events tires were torched, Molotov cocktails & stones were thrown at the security forces. There were no casualties among our forces."

In footage posted by the police, an undercover operative throws what appears to be a stun grenade, before more agents move in.

Palestinians have clashed with Israeli troops across the West Bank and along the Gaza border since Mr Trump's announcement on 6 December.

At least two Palestinians have been killed and scores more were wounded.

The Israeli military also said it intercepted two rockets fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel in the latest barrage by Palestinian militants.

The army said in a statement that the Iron Dome missile defence system downed the rockets as they headed towards Israel. A third projectile hit an open area in southern Israel. No injuries were reported.

Palestinian militants have fired about a dozen rockets at Israel in the week since Mr Trump's announcement.

Hamas had called for a new armed uprising in response to the declaration.

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