Gunshots continue to be fired across the West Bank and Gaza Strip as it enters the second day of resistance against US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Though it is just a recognition, by one of the most powerful states nonetheless, Palestinians across the country are fueled with anger by the thought they are losing their capital and religious home.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society confirmed on Dec. 8 that during the first day of protests on Dec. 7, one person had been killed in Gaza. Across the West Bank and Gaza, 13 protesters were injured from live fire and 47 from rubber bullets.
Protest numbers were expected to be bigger on the second day of the resistance, as Dec. 8 was a declared a “day of rage” by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. In the West Bank city of Ramallah, imams could be heard calling everyone to gather in the larger mosques of the city, so there would be solidarity in numbers.
The message the imams delivered at midday prayers called for everyone to protest the US decision and defend their country. If people were able to and they weren’t restricted by Israeli permit limitations, they were told to travel to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem for Friday prayers and demonstrations.
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