Tel Aviv has stepped up punitive measures against Palestinian demonstrators in a bid to crack down on protests against movement restrictions in the West Bank.

An Israeli military court on Sunday sentenced a teenage boy from al-Khalil (Hebron) to three months in prison, Ma’an news agency reported.

Along with the 16-year-old Ash-Shueiyukhi, the court also sentenced six others to three years of probation and paying 537 USD in fines for participation in a rally.

During a session held at the Ofer military base and detention center near the West Bank city of Ramallah, Israeli military prosecutor argued that the men and teenagers had "endangered" the lives of Israeli soldiers.

The seven on trial had attended demonstrations protesting the detention of senior Fatah member Abbas Zaki, who was arrested by Israeli forces during a peaceful march on Palm Sunday.

The marchers were demanding access for Palestinian Christians to al-Quds (Jerusalem), protesting a complete closure of the West Bank during the Jewish Passover.

The detention of a dozen peaceful protesters including Zaki, international and Israeli activists, ignited more anti-Tel Aviv demonstrations in April, which faced a heavier crackdown from the Israeli military.

After seeing him in court on Sunday, Ash-Shueiyukhi’s family said the young man’s body bore what appeared to be signs of abuse, and called for the intervention of the Red Crescent to protect the teenager.

(Press TV)