Dozens of Palestinians were injured during clashes across the West Bank on Friday, as tensions rose just weeks before a visit by US President Barack Obama.

Eleven people were injured in the Ramallah village of Beit Liqya during clashes with Israeli forces following an arrest raid, locals said.

Fifteen people suffered light injuries after inhaling tear gas during clashes in Nablus following a protest against environmental damage caused by waste from settlements, witnesses told Ma’an.

Earlier, clashes broke out in East Jerusalem at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, as dozens of Israeli officers entered the politically sensitive area, one of Islam’s holiest sites, after several hundred protesters threw rocks and two firebombs at them following Friday prayers.

Israeli forces also clashed with protesters in the Ramallah village of Abud after the funeral of Mohammad Asfour, who died a day earlier after being wounded by Israeli forces two weeks ago.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said hundreds of Palestinians had gathered in Beitunia, Abud, Bilin, Qalqiliya and Nablus and threw rocks at Israeli forces, who responded with riot dispersal means.

An Israeli soldier was injured by rocks in Nablus and a Palestinian man was detained in Kafr Qaddum, she added.

Hundreds of people have taken to the streets in the West Bank and Gaza Strip over the past two weeks following the death of a Palestinian prisoner who PA officials say died as a result of torture.

Demonstrators have demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners held without charge and better rights for detainees.

Dozens of Palestinians have been injured in the protests.

(Ma’an – www.maannews.net)