Clashes break out during procession to funeral for journalist killed in West Bank
RAMALLAH/TEL AVIV — Clashes broke out during the procession to the funeral of Shireen Abu Akleh, a veteran Al Jazeera journalist killed this week while reporting on an Israeli military raid in the West Bank.
Israeli police said hundreds of demonstrators turned violent during the procession on Friday, throwing stones at officers. Security forces responded with flash grenades, according to Palestinian sources.
Israeli security forces were on heightened alert ahead of the funeral.
Thousands were expected to attend the funeral of Abu Akleh. The Palestinian-American journalist will be buried in a Christian Orthodox cemetery next to Jerusalem’s Old City.
Abu Akleh was killed by gunfire on Wednesday during an Israeli operation in the occupied West Bank.
Amid the tensions, an Israeli border guard was fatally wounded in confrontations with armed Palestinians in the West Bank, according to Israeli sources.
During an anti-terror operation near Jenin, armed attackers fired at the security forces and threw explosive devices, the army said on Friday. Soldiers fired back.
The 47-year-old officer was taken to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. His identity was not available Friday morning.
It has not been confirmed who was responsible for the death of the 51year-old journalist.