Two Palestinians were critically wounded on Friday during clashes with Israeli forces north of Jerusalem, medics said.

Two Palestinian youths were shot with live fire, one in the pelvis and the other in the abdomen, after clashes broke out with Israeli forces in the Jerusalem-area village of Anata, medics told Ma’an.

Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas canisters and chased local youths down alleyways in the village, with locals throwing rocks at Israeli troops.

Several people suffered light injuries from tear gas inhalation.

Five people were also injured in the Ramallah village of Beit Liqya during a protest against Israel’s separation wall, locals said.

A young man was injured by a rubber-coated steel bullet and four others suffered smoke inhalation after Israeli soldiers fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators.

Local youths threw bottles and stones at Israeli forces.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said “a violent and illegal riot took place near Anata. Approximately 20 Palestinians hurled rocks at Israeli soldiers, who responded with riot dispersal means.”

No live fire was used, she said.

Around 10 people threw rocks at Israeli forces in Beit Liqya, with no response from soldiers, she added.

(Ma’an – maannews.com)