LOC17:44
14:44 GMT
RAMALLAH, Dec 8 (KUNA) -- One Palestinian has been killed and scores injured in clashes with Israeli security forces during protests in Gaza and West Bank over a recent US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
In the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian protester was shot dead by the Israeli army and at least 40 others were wounded during the clashes, according to Palestinian medics.
Mohammad Al-Masri, 30, was fatally shot by the Israeli army east of Khan Younis in the enclave, the Palestinian Health Ministry said in a press statement.
Meanwhile, at least 245 Palestinians were wounded in ongoing confrontations between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces in the West Bank, Palestinian Red Crescent Society said.
Ambulances were rushed to the scenes in order to take those injured in the clashes to nearby hospitals in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, according to medics.
The demonstrations came in response to US President Donald Trump's recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The US President on Wednesday recognized in a much-anticipated announcement Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Trump also announced that he had directed the State Department to begin preparations to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The US president's decision has sparked wide-scale condemnations and rejection on Arab, Islamic and international levels.
Palestinian groups and factions called for three days of rage to protest the US move on Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in the June 1967 war.
The UN Security Council is holding an emergency session on Friday in response to a request from eight permanent members of the council to discuss the US President's recent decision, a move considered a threat to the peace process.
The session is to be held amidst Arabic and international reactions rejecting and condemning the decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Reactions described the decision as illegal, and against the International laws. (end)
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