Crackdown on protest at Israel embassy, Cairo, leaves 353 injured

Ahram Online , Monday 16 May 2011

Live ammunition, tear gas and rubber bullets were used to disperse the day-long commemoration of Nakba in front of the Israel embassy in Cairo

Israeli embassy.

Egypt's health ministry has estimated the number of injured at 353 after police violently cracked down on the demonstration at Cairo's Israeli embassy.

The demonstration at the Israel embassy started at 9am in commemoration of Nakba, the day that Israel was formed and Palestinians were forcibly removed from their homes or left in fear.

The demonstrators were dispersed by Military Police and Central Security Forces about an hour before midnight using tear gas grenades and rubber bullets. Eyewitnesses say live ammunition was also used. Media reports stated that medical sources in Om El-Masreeyeen hospital reported one injured by a gunshot to the head.

Several demonstrators were also arrested. Videos of the arrests and the clashes have been circulating on social media venues, such as Twitter and Facebook. One video showed a demonstrator shot by a bullet in the stomach.

 

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