JERUSALEM, December 4, 2011 (WAFA) – Sixteen Palestinians were injured Saturday in clashes that broke out between Palestinians and Israeli police manning the checkpoint just outside Shu’fat refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, according to local sources. 

Witnesses said the clashes broke out late Saturday evening after Israeli forces closed the only checkpoint crossing to Jerusalem for several hours, as well as provocatively and slowly inspecting Palestinian vehicles and passengers crossing the checkpoint.

A Palestinian was shot with a rubber bullet in the eye and 15 others suffered from gunshot injuries, added the local sources.

In addition, Israeli police launched dozens of tear gas and stink bombs to keep Palestinians from the checkpoint. A group of Arabic-speaking undercover Israeli police pursued several Palestinians around the entrance of the camp, but no arrests were reported.

Two Israeli policemen were stoned and transferred to hospital.

Tension in the area is escalating with the Israeli decision to hasten the construction of a new pedestrian terminal to replace the checkpoint, and new parts of the Apartheid Wall that will isolate the entire refugee camp from Jerusalem.

R.Q./F.J.