Description

RAMALLAH (Ma’an) -- A demonstration in support of hunger-striking prisoner Khader Adnan near an Israeli detention center in the West Bank was shut down by Israeli forces on Saturday, injuring 16 Palestinians including a TV journalist.

Soldiers detained two Palestinians and two Israelis at a separate protest against Adnan's continued detention in Hebron-district Beit Ummar, as the Islamic Jihad leader entered his 56th day without food.

Dozens gathered at the Ofer military base near Beituniya -- the site of a prison and military court where Adnan was given a four month detention order without charge on Jan. 8.

Israeli forces fired tear gas at the crowd and youth threw stones at the soldiers. Four people were injured by rubber-coated bullets, including Palestine TV correspondent Sara al-Athra.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said: "100 Palestinians rioted (near the base) and hurled rocks at security forces who responded with riot dispersal means."

In Beit Ummar, Palestinian, Israeli and international activists gathered to demand the release of Adnan and all other Palestinians jailed by Israel.

Forces shot sound grenades and tear gas at the protesters, before detaining two Palestinians and two Israelis.

Yousef Abu Mariya, 38, suffered head injuries after soldiers beat him, and Saqer Abu Mariya, 41 was sprayed with pepper spray, before both were detained, popular committee head Ahmad Abu Hashem said.

An Israeli army spokesman confirmed forces detained four people, saying forces had responded with riot dispersal means after around 30 people gathered and threw rocks at forces near the Karmi Zur settlement.

Adnan has refused food since his Dec. 17 detention to protest his treatment and the practice of administrative detention. It is the longest hunger strike any Palestinian prisoner has undertaken.

There are an estimated 307 Palestinians in Israeli administrative detention -- held without charge -- in Israeli jails