Israeli troops fire on dozens of Birzeit students demonstrating near BirZeit University

Israeli troops opened fire on dozens of students at a protest at ‘Atara checkpoint, located close to Bir Zeit university on Monday 15th March. The majority of those demonstrating were students from Bir Zeit university, protesting at the plans proposed last week by the Israeli administration to build 1600 new homes in Occupied East Jerusalem and the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque yesterday.
The students met with soldiers opening fire using tear gas and rubber-coated-metal bullets as soon as the demonstration reached the checkpoint, which was closed at the time.

According to medics at the Ramallah Government Hospital, ten students were injured, including three with live bullets. An Israeli military spokesperson has refused to comment on whether live ammunition was used, with rubber-coated metal bullets being considered a standard tactic of
riot dispersal.

A student from Bir Zeit university who was present at the demonstration reported that a UN jeep attempted to enter from the Israeli side. They were denied entry by the Israeli forces, prompting the UN workers to enter the area on foot in order to take pictures.

Israel has imposed a lockdown on the West Bank since Friday.