Clashes broke out on Monday between Palestinians and Israeli forces, as thousands gathered in Jerusalem for the funeral of Walid al-Sharif, a Palestinian man who died of his wounds on Saturday after being seriously injured in clashes with police on the Temple Mount last month.
Violence was reported near the Old City, in the area around the cemetery. One Palestinian has been reported seriously injured and has undergone resuscitation near the graveyard.
The Palestinian Red Crescent said 10 others were taken to hospital, with some of them hit by rubber-coated bullets.
Palestinians clash with Israeli forces following the funeral of Walid al-Sharif, near Jerusalem’s Old City, on Monday.AHMAD GHARABLI – AFP
“Hundreds of lawbreakers and rioters are throwing stones, sticks and objects, launching fireworks and trying to harm police forces at the site,” a police statement said.
Mourners took Shareef’s body for prayers at the Al Aqsa Mosque before proceeding to the cemetery, “With our souls and blood, we will redeem you, martyr,” the crowd chanted. Some people held Palestinian flags.
A number of officers were lightly injured by the stone throwing, police said, and the forces responded with riot dispersal means.
According to the Palestinians, during the funeral of al-Sharif, a 21-year-old from East Jerusalem, Israeli police opened fire on a Palestinian vehicle. Casualties in the incident have not been reported.
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Al-Sharif suffered a head wound about three weeks ago when police entered the Temple Mount compound while firing sponge-tipped bullets. Police claimed that he was throwing rocks at forces and was injured when he fell while trying to run away, but Palestinian sources who were on the Temple Mount that day said he was hit with a sponge-tipped bullet.
He lost consciousness due to the head injury, and police evacuated him to Jerusalem’s Hadassah University Hospital, Mount Scopus. News crews filmed police dragging him while he was unconscious. Due to his condition, al-Sharif was transferred to the hospital’s Ein Kerem campus. He suffered a brain injury and from April 22, he was anesthetized and intubated. He was declared dead on Saturday.
His body was released by the police to his relatives on Monday for burial. The hospital has not determined whether al-Sharif was hit by a sponge-tipped bullet or if he was wounded by a fall.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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