The prisoner’s hunger strike that took place on 5 December 1998 raised actions by a large number of people in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. These people also went on hunger strikes, organized tent sit-ins in many cities and marched and demonstrated. Many of these marches and demonstrations reached checkpoints that separate A and B or A and C Areas where confrontations between demonstrators and soldiers broke out. The demonstrators shouted for prisoners be released. They also threw stones at Israeli soldiers who in turn fired live bullets, rubber bullets, and tear gas. At times, Israeli soldiers provoked the situation, harassing Palestinians and insulting their dignity. In response, Palestinians threw stones.

On 13 December 1998, soldiers blocked the path of many workers who were on their way to work in Jerusalem at a point where they pass through the checkpoint that separates Bethlehem from Jerusalem. The workers were ordered to stand in long lines and forced to submit to body searches. Some workers were forced to crawl on the ground. A number of workers created piles of stones, burned tires, and started throwing stones at the soldiers. The soldiers fired rubber bullets and tear gas and 5 workers were injured. Three were arrested.