Israel’s decision to add two West Bank locations to its national heritage sites lead to clashes between Palestinians and Israeli troops in the town of al-Khalil.

The clashes erupted after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a controversial plan to add two places in the occupied West Bank to Israel’s list of "national heritage" sites.

Israeli troops fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse dozens of youths who gathered in the city to protest the measure.

"We call on the international community to consider this decision illegal," chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said.

"This Israeli decision is provocative for Muslims around the world and especially Palestinians," he added.

Sheikh Taysir al-Tamimi, who heads Palestinian Islamic courts, said the decision "amounts to a declaration of war against the holy Islamic sites in Palestine."

"The practices of the Israeli occupation and its actions against the holy sites violate divine laws and international ones," he added in a statement.

(Press TV)