Palestinian protesters clashed with Israeli forces in Bethlehem

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Palestinian protesters clashed with Israeli forces in Bethlehem, on Friday, as they rallied in solidarity with their compatriots in the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem amid escalating violence. Protesters could be seen setting off fire crackers and throwing projectiles at Israeli forces behind a self-made barricade. Israeli troops in turn could be seen firing tear gas and throwing stun grenades at protesters. The current unrest and hostilities, which began after protests against evictions in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, have escalated into an exchange of rockets and air strikes with numerous casualties on both sides. The fighting is the worst outbreak of violence in the long-running conflict since 2014, with some 122 Palestinians, including 31 children, having died, as well as at least seven Israelis, since the start of the hostilities.