At least 20 Palestinians were injured when Israeli troops fired on about 4,000 people demonstrating in the northern West Bank city of Nablus on Sunday, said AFP, citing witnesses and medical sources.
Twenty were lightly injured by rubber bullets and another was hit in the leg with a live bullet when demonstrators marched on a checkpoint at the eastern edge of the Palestinian-controlled city, they said.
The crowds carried Palestinian flags and chanted "End the occupation, continue the Intifada."
A coalition of political and social groups organized the demonstration to protest against the Israeli army's six-month siege of the Palestinian territories which has devastated the economy.
In another incident, Haaretz newspaper reported that Palestinians reportedly fired five grenades at an army military post near Rafah on the border between Israel and Egypt on Sunday.
No injuries were reported as Israeli troops returned fire, said the paper.
Earlier in the day, an Israeli motorist was seriously injured in a drive-by shooting in Nablus, said reports.
Gilad Zar was shot in the chest and legs at a junction in the city, said Haaretz.
After being treated at the scene, Zar, who was in his car when he was hit, was evacuated by helicopter to Tel Hashomer Hospital in Tel Aviv – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)