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Two Palestinians killed in Gaza by Israeli fire in border clashes, says ministry

Ten Palestinians have been killed since Trump's 6 December announcement that he would recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital

Palestinian protesters and Israeli border guards clash north of Ramallah on 22 December 2017 (AFP)

Two Palestinians were killed as youths clashed with Israeli soldiers on the Gaza border on Friday in a new protest against US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the Palestinian health ministry said.

Zakaria al-Kafarneh, 24, who "died after being shot in the chest east of Jabalia in northern Gaza," a health ministry spokesman said in a statement.

The other was named as Mohammed Moheisen, 29, from Al-Shojaeya neighborhood.

The young man was shot with a live bullet during a confrontation with the Israeli army on the Gaza border.

Israeli soldiers shot Zakaria al-Kafarneh, 24, during an anti-Trump protest in Gaza on 22 December (MEE\Mohammed Asad)
Meanwhile, Palestinians reported at least 11 hurt in fresh clashes in the West Bank, including three who allegedly suffered wounds after being shot by rubber-tipped bullets.

Approximately 1,700 Palestinians took part in protests in the West Bank, throwing Molotov cocktails and rocks at Israeli security forces. Some 2,000 took part in protests along the Gaza border.

Ten Palestinians have been killed in violence since US President Donald Trump's 6 December announcement that he would recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy there.

Eight of them have died in clashes, while two were killed in an Israeli air strike on Gaza.

Clashes occured in Bethlehem and other areas of the West Bank. This is the third straight Friday of violence following the US shift in policy regarding Jerusalem's status.

Three Palestinians were injured with rubber-coated bullets and 15 were treated for inhaling toxic gas fired by the Israeli soldiers. In Hebron, there was a confrontation between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians in Halhul village and Al-Arroub refugee camp.

Fourteen Palestinians were injured in Nablus with rubber-coated bullets, according to the Red Crescent. At Beit El settlement, north of Ramallah, confrontation with the Israeli army continued.

In Jerusalem, Palestinians marched after the Friday prayer in Al-Aqsa mosque towards Damascus Gate that leads to the Old City. But the march was halted by Israeli soldiers on the Al-Wad road in the Old City.

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