Palestinians take part in a protest after an Israeli air strike hit Al-Ahli Hospital, according to Gaza Health Ministry, in Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank October 17, 2023.
REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta Acquire Licensing RightsRAMALLAH, West Bank, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Palestinian security forces in Ramallah fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters throwing rocks and chanting against President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday, as popular anger boiled over after a deadly Gaza hospital attack that Palestinians blamed on Israel.
In the West Bank, where Abbas was returning on Tuesday after canceling a planned meeting in Jordan with U.S. President Joe Biden, hundreds of demonstrators marched in Ramallah's central Manara Square, with some chanting in support of Hamas militant leaders.
Clashes with Palestinian security forces also broke in the West Bank cities of Nablus, Tubas and Jenin, a northern city that was the focus of major Israeli military operations earlier this year, according to witnesses.
The outbreak of West Bank protests highlights long-simmering Palestinian anger against Abbas, whose forces have long faced criticism for coordinating with Israel on security in the territory.
Persons:
Raneen, Mahmoud Abbas, Gaza's, Abbas, Joe Biden, Ali Sawafta, Rami Ayyub, Sandra Maler
Organizations:
Gaza Health Ministry, West Bank, REUTERS, U.S, Israel, Thomson
Locations:
Ahli, Gaza, Tubas, RAMALLAH, West, Ramallah, Israel, Palestinian, Turkey, Jordan, U.S, Lebanon, Ramallah's, Manara, Nablus, Jenin