Live fire is reported during clashes between protesters and Palestinian security forces in Nablus over the arrest of Musab Ashtaya, a commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas), by Palestinian Authority forces.
Musab Ashtaya, a 30-year-old Hamas leader, is also wanted by Israeli forces and described as one of the most senior wanted Palestinians in Nablus. Ashtaya was arrested along with Ameed Tbaileh.
هذه ليست قوات الاحتلال من يعتدي على أهلنا ب #نابلس هذه أجهزة أمن #سلطة_العار...والله pic.twitter.com/lWvw5gqxzB
— ramia al ibrahim - راميا الابراهيم (@ramiaalibrahim) September 20, 2022
Ambulance crews and medical teams arrived at the place of the clashes in the West Bank city of Nablus following rage over the arrest of Ashtaya after surrounding his car.
Protesters strongly decried the arrest of Musab Ashtaya after the Palestinian forces released a statement saying he was taken into custody. In consequence, angry armed men have burned tyres and called Palestinian authorities for the immediate release of the Hamas leader and other political figures in Palestinian jails.
قتيل وعدد من الإصابات إثر احتجاجات في #نابلس ضدّ اعتقال أجهزة الأمن مطلوبا للاحتلال الإسرائيلي
— التلفزيون العربي (@AlarabyTV) September 20, 2022
تقرير: سلمان النجار pic.twitter.com/6b5SGB65Pj
According to local media sources, since the arrest of the Hamas leader Musab Ashtaya by Palestinian security forces and the unrest in Nablus, at least one person was killed and several others were injured.
Hamas decried the arrest of its commander, calling it a "kidnapping", a "national crime" and a "stain" on the image of the Palestinian Authority.
