An Israeli soldier fires tear gas at the start of a Palestinian demonstration protesting against the Israeli-imposed closure in effect on Bethlehem since the July 30 Jerusalem market bombings, August 26. Many rounds of tear gas were fired when about ten Palestinians started throwing stones towards the Israeli position near Rachel's Tomb. The tear gas landed outside the Bethlehem Elementary Girls School and several hundred Palestinian school girls had to be evacuated. Some were rushed away in ambulances.