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Israeli-Palestinian violence erupts in West Bank on eve of Flag March

The clashes in the Palestinian city follow a cease-fire between the Israeli military and Gaza-based armed groups and come ahead of the controversial Jerusalem Flag March.
JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images

Several Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli forces during a Jewish religious excursion to the West Bank city of Nablus in the 24 hours. 

On Tuesday night, thousands of Jewish Israeli worshippers visited Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus. Jews, Christians and Muslims believe the Hebrew prophet Joseph is buried there. The visit came a year after local Palestinians vandalized the site amid clashes with the Israeli military.

The Palestinian Authority’s WAFA news agency reported on Wednesday morning that six Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire early during the Israelis' visit to the tomb. Five were hit by rubber bullets and one with a live round.

The Israel Defense Forces said early Wednesday morning that people threw stones and explosives and shot at them while they were escorting the worshippers to the tomb. The IDF returned fire in response, they said in a tweet.

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