Clashes in Balata Refugee Camp, Nablus

Clashes in Balata Refugee Camp, Nablus

Sunday, May 18th, clashes erupted between the Israeli Occupation Force (IOF) and at least 80 Palestinian youth of the Balata refugee camp near Nablus. IOF entered Balata in an armored personnel carrier (APC) and a jeep at 4.25 AM. One hour later, Israeli soldiers entered and occupied a house of a Palestinian family on the outskirts of Balata.

At 6.00 AM a heavily amoured caterpillar and three additional jeeps arrived on the scene. Soon thereafter clashes erupted between stonethrowing youth of Balata and the IOF, who responded by firing several warning shots.

The clashes intensified during the morning attracting more youths who joined in the stone throwing. The IOF responded by detonating shock grenades, shooting at the surrounding walls, and firing towards the ground in attempt to scatter the youth.

At 9 AM the IOF left the occupied house and pulled back under the cover of a tank and a jeep firing warning shots and shock grenades.

At 10 AM the IOF withdrew from the area and relocated to the outskirts of the camp. One tank, a bulldozer, and an armored personnel carrier continued their operations within a small field on the east side of the camp where children engaged in further stone throwing. Two miliatry jeeps maintained a roadblock near the original site of the clashes where Palestinian citizens expressed a concern regarding the detainment of at least one youth.

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