Jerusalem, Dec 7 (AP) Hundreds of Palestinian protestersclashed with Israeli troops across the West Bank today whiledemonstrators in Gaza burned posters of President Donald Trumpover his widely denounced decision to recogniSe Jerusalem asIsrael's capital.
The leader of the Hamas militant group, which runs Gaza,called for a new armed uprising in a widespread show of anger,as the demonstrators torched American and Israeli flags.
In the West Bank, crowds of protesters set tires on fireand hurled stones at Israeli troops.
In Bethlehem, troops fired water cannons and tear gas todisperse a crowd, in clashes that could cloud the upcomingChristmas celebrations in the town of Jesus' birth.
In Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian government,protesters set tires on fire, sending a thick plume of blacksmoke over the city.
Trump's dramatic break yesterday with decades of USpolicy on Jerusalem counters long-standing internationalassurances to the Palestinians that the fate of the city willbe determined in negotiations.
The Palestinians seek Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem,captured by Israel in 1967, as a future capital.
Palestinians shuttered their schools and shops onThursday to begin three "days of rage" over Trump's decision.
Rallies were underway in other West Bank cities, and ademonstration was being held outside the Damascus Gate ofJerusalem's Old City.
"We are here. We believe in our rights," said RaniaHatem, a protester outside the Old City.
Palestinian officials said dozens of protesters werelightly wounded, most from tear gas inhalation. Friday, theMuslim holy day when Palestinians gather for weekly massprayers, could prove more violent.
In the Gaza Strip, Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh called onPalestinians to launch a new intifada, or uprising, againstIsrael on Friday.
"The American decision is an aggression on our people anda war on our sanctuaries," Haniyeh said in a speech, urgingsupporters "to be ready for any orders.""We want the uprising to last and continue to let Trumpand the occupation regret this decision," he said.
Hamas, a group that seeks Israel's destruction, killedhundreds of Israelis in suicide bombings and other attacks inthe early 2000s.
But the group's capabilities are more limited now. Gaza,Hamas' stronghold, is closed by an Israeli blockade, while inthe West Bank, many of its members have been arrested.
Nonetheless, it possesses a large arsenal of rockets in Gazacapable of striking much of Israel. (AFP)NSA.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.