16 wounded in Gaza protests

2005-09-05 16:07

Khan Yunis - At least 16 people were injured when hundreds of unemployed Palestinian men and teenagers clashed with security forces on Monday, in a second day of violent protests in the Gaza Strip.

Hundreds of protestors ran amok in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, denouncing the Palestinian authority for failing to provide them with jobs and for introducing tuition fees at state schools.

Hundreds of teenagers and men hurled concrete, firebombs and metal bars at riot police near the city's municipal building and police station, as they set tyres on fire and ripped down an electricity transformer.

Palestinian security sources said at least 16 people were taken to hospital with injuries, including five policemen and 11 civilians hurt by stone throwers.

Four demonstrators wounded

At least 200 helmeted riot police and national security officers battled to disperse the crowd, firing a series of warning shots into the air before the protestors ran back chanting: "We're fighting for our bread".

On Sunday, at least four demonstrators were wounded in clashes with police during the first day of protests.

Demonstrators, many of whom worked in Israel before the five-year Palestinian uprising began, said they were angry about plans to introduce tuition fees, which amounted to $9 a year, for students at government schools.

The Palestinian economy has been devastated by the past five years of violence.

During the Palestinian intifada, Israel sealed the borders of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, causing unemployment to soar.

- AFP