Army radio reported that at least four Israeli security personnel were hurt in annual "Nakba Day" clashes with Arabs from Palestinian Authority enclaves in Judea and Samaria on Tuesday

Hundreds of PA residents threw stones and firebombs outside the Ofer Prison adjacent to the Beitunya crossing. The IDF and Israel Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and other crowd dispersal means.

One soldier was reportedly struck in the face by a rock, while a Border Police officer sustained injuries to his arm.

Approximately 20 rioters were also injured, including one man who was evacuated to a hospital after a tear gas cannister struck him.

Events marking Nakba Day (the Day of Catastrophe) marking the anniversary of the establishment of Israel occur every year.

While organizers always claim protests marking the Nakba and Land days will be peaceful, they almost invariably devolve into violent riots.

At the Kalandiya checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ramallah, some 300 Arabs protested, a number of whom clashed with security forces.

Near Ofra, Arabs stoned Magen Dovid Adom paramedics who responded to a traffic accident, injuring them. Police responded in force and arrested three.

IDF forces stationed near Hizma were confronted by Arab rioters who hurled stones and firebombs, rolled burning tires, and tried to use improvised explosives. Two soldiers were injured. Sappers were called in to dispose of the explosives.

In east Jerusalem´s Isawiya neighborhood, police arrested four people on suspicion of throwing stones. There, children as young as five years old were seen participating in clashes with security forces.

Earlier Tuesday morning, Arabs threw stones at Israelis praying at Rachel´s Tomb near Bethlehem. Police dispersed the attackers. There were no injuries in the attack.

At a checkpoint near the Jewish settlement in Hevron, Arabs hurled stones at security forces. IDF soldiers and Border Police dispersed the riots. No damages or injuries were reported.

The IDF also raised its alert level on the Syrian and Lebanese borders in preparation for potential violence. Last yeear, at least a dozen Syrians were shot trying to rush Israel´s northern border. (IsraelNationalNews © 2012 05/15/12)