Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces on Monday afternoon between Hebron and the nearby town of Halhul in the southern West Bank, locals said. Palestinian youths reportedly threw stones and empty bottles at an Israeli military checkpoint on Halhul Bridge. Locals said that Israeli forces responded by firing tear gas canisters, stun grenades, and rubber-coated steel bullets. A number of protesters suffered excessive tear gas inhalation, but no other injuries were reported. Hebron district has found itself at the center of violence since a wave of unrest swept the occupied Palestinian territory last month. More than 20 Palestinians have been shot dead by Israeli forces and settlers in Hebron during the period, the majority after allegedly attempting to attack Israelis, although Palestinians and rights groups have disputed Israel's version of events in many of those cases.
