BETHLEHEM, April 17, 2017 (WAFA) – A number of Palestinians Monday suffered from tear gas inhalation after Israeli forces cracked down on a march in Bethlehem in support of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails, according to local sources.

The march, which was called for by the nationalist forces, started from the center of town heading to the northern entrance of Bethlehem.

When it arrived there, Israeli forces fired tear gas and stun bombs at the participants, causing suffocation cases among them.

Participants raised the Palestinian flag as well as pictures of prisoners and slogans that condemn the Israeli policy against the prisoners and calling on the international community and humanitarian and rights organizations to press Israel to respond to the prisoners’ demands.

Meanwhile, Palestinians throughout the West Bank and some in Israel, held rallies and some observed hunger strike in solidarity with the prisoners.

At the Arab American University in Jenin in the north of the West Bank, 30 students began a hunger strike until Thursday in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners.

Palestinians in the Israeli city of Umm al-Fahm have also declared a one-day hunger strike in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners.

Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails Monday began an open hunger strike demanding better prison conditions.

K.T./M.K.