Two officers were lightly wounded Wednesday night after violent riots erupted in east Jerusalem, as demonstrators hurled Molotov cocktails, stones, burning trash cans, and suspected pipe bombs at forces, the Israel Police said in a statement.
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"At this time, the police and security forces of the Jerusalem district are operating in a number of centers of disturbances and violent riots in east Jerusalem," the statement said, adding that "forces responded with measures to disperse disturbances … and attempts to harm the security forces."
Authorities said that the two police officers were wounded while trying to disperse the rioters in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiya. They were hurt by an explosive device thrown at them. Rocks were also thrown at Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion's vehicle as it was driving in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Ras al-Amud.
Over twenty people suspected of involvement in the violent riots in Issawiya were arrested during home raids that included soldiers along with a Border Police undercover unit.
Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli forces arrested five suspects who participated in public disturbances in various locations in east Jerusalem.
Border Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Amir Cohen assured, "The soldiers of the Border Guard will continue to act resolutely against violent violators in order to maintain public safety. We have increased and skilled forces in the Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria sector to deal with incidents with strength and professionalism."
Clashes in east Jerusalem have been ongoing as forces search for a Palestinian gunman who killed Sgt. Noa Lazar in a terror attack earlier this week, as the military imposed a lockdown on the West Bank city of Nablus following a surge in violence.
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