Police detain 9 protesters outside of Israeli PM's residence in Jerusalem

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered on June 17 in front of the Knesset for a demonstration urging early elections and a deal with Hamas to secure the release of the hostages held in Gaza.

Many of the demonstrators then marched toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s home where violent clashes broke out with police, The Times of Israel reports.

Police said they had allowed the demonstration to unfold until some of the participants sought to break through crowd control fences set up around the perimeter of Netanyahu’s residence. At least nine were arrested, according to police.

One of the detainees is Noam Dan, whose cousin’s ex-husband Ofer Calderon is being held hostage in Gaza.

Protest organizers accused police of using excessive force, again employing a water cannon against protesters outside Netanyahu’s home, striking at least three people who required hospitalization.

One of the injured was a volunteer doctor. Dr. Tal Weissbach’s colleagues say she was standing off to the side of the road wearing a bright orange vest so she could be easily spotted by those seeking treatment. Weissbach was struck in the eye and later checked herself into the Tel Hashomer hospital, Channel 12 reported.

Two other protesters were taken by Magen David Adom medics to nearby Jerusalem hospitals. One of them was unconscious after being struck by the water cannon and the other — a 63-year- old woman — was severely injured after being thrown into a wall, the network said.