BETHLEHEM, February 9, 2017 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Thursday clashed with Palestinian youth in Ayda refugee camp north of Bethlehem where soldiers used live ammunition and toxic bombs.

Witnesses in the camp said clashes erupted when Palestinian youth threw a locally made cocktail bomb at a military base near Bilal Ibn Rabah Mosque, referred to also as Rachel Tomb.

The site witnesses many clashes as Palestinians believe that Israel has illegally taken over the site despite being located in the occupied Palestinian territories and identified as a religious site for the three monotheistic religions.

In February 2010, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that the tomb would become a part of the national Jewish heritage sites rehabilitation plan. The move was followed with a UNESCO vote which acknowledged both the Jewish and Islamic significance of the site.

Israeli soldiers raided the camp right after the incident and fired live ammunition, tear gas canisters and toxic bombs at the youth.

To retaliate, witnesses said the soldiers fired at water tanks over the rooftops of two homes to destroy them and arrested two young men identified as Rani Abu Aker and Saeb Amarneh.

M.H