At least 16 people were injured when hundreds of unemployed Palestinian men and teenagers clashed with security forces yesterday in the second day of violent protests in the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of protesters ran amok in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, denouncing the Palestinian Authority for failing to provide them with jobs and for charging them tuition at state schools.Men and teenagers, in light blue school uniforms, hurled concrete, fire bombs and metal bars at riot police near Khan Yunisâ municipal building and police station. They set tires on fire and ripped down an electricity transformer, some sped by on bicycles and pedaled fast when police chased them on foot through the streetâs detritus of rocks, bricks, glass and melted rubber.
Sixteen people were taken to hospital with injuries sustained in the fracas, including five policemen and 11 civilians hurt by stone throwers, Palestinian security sources said. At least 200 helmeted riot police and national security officers battled to disperse the crowd, firing a bevy of warning shots into the air before the protesters charged back chanting âweâre fighting for our bread.â