AN UNDERCOVER Israeli strike squad infiltrated a protest after rocks were hurled at soldiers during a “Trump” riot on the outskirts of Ramallah.
Security forces in disguise moved into action during the protest by around 100 to 150 Palestinians near a military checkpoint in the occupied West Bank.
The operation started when a few dozen soldiers in uniform converged on the crowd protesting about Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Suddenly, several men wearing keffiyehs or balaclavas, including one with a Palestinian flag wrapped around his head, pulled out pistols.
One threw a smoke grenade while others fired in the air. The army then rapidly moved towards the remaining protesters, who fled on foot.
Medics on the scene said three Palestinians had been injured during the protests.
Israel’s military said forces including an undercover unit carried out the operation during what it called a “violent riot”.
It said Palestinians threw stones and firebombs at its forces while rolling burning tyres. Three people were arrested, it said in a statement.
Israeli forces regularly carry out such operations against stone-throwing protests in which agents pretend to be demonstrators before turning on the crowd.
Such agents are referred to by Palestinians as mustarabeen, a word used to refer to those who disguise themselves as Arabs.
