Eight arrested in 3rd night of riots in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli police arrested several Palestinians Monday accused of throwing stones and other objects at officers outside Jerusalem’s disputed Old City, as tensions flare during the Muslim holy month of ramadan

Officers detained eight people suspected of throwing stones, bottles and fireworks at policemen during the Ramadan festivities in front of Damascus Gate, police said. There are currently no reports of injuries.

In a statement, police said “most of the people at the scene were not actively participating in these disturbances.” Video footage from the scene showed officers being hit by water bottles and other objects and detaining suspects.

It was the third consecutive night of riots on the outskirts of the Old City, a recurring point of violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

On Sunday, Palestinian youths and Israeli police clashed in front of Damascus Gate, a meeting place in the heart of historic Jerusalem. Police said they arrested 10 people suspected of attacking officers as the area was packed with hundreds of people celebrating after fasting that day. Several people suffered minor injuries, paramedics said.

Israeli police are on high alert following three deadly attacks by Palestinians in Israel in recent weeks, killing 11 Israelis. Last week, an Israeli raid on a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank in search of the suspected accomplices of a gunman triggered a shootout in which two Palestinians were killed and 15 wounded.

On Saturday, Israeli police said their officers had killed three Palestinian militants implicated in recent attacks on Israeli forces and were planning another.