In pictures: Israeli forces crack down on Palestinians protesting against attacks on Gaza

Shops and businesses shuttered their windows for a day of nationwide protests against the Israeli occupation of historic Palestine and the bombardment of Gaza, with many locals taking to the streets to peacefully chant and express their opposition to Israel's actions (All photos by Latifeh Abdellatif/MEE).

Israeli forces were deployed to many parts of Jerusalem, beating, pepper-spraying and dispersing crowds of people. Heavily armed police also arrested ordinary Palestinians walking around the city, including women and children.

While covering the general strike, MEE correspondent Latifeh Abdellatif, who reported seeing a child being detained, was attacked by Israeli forces who struck her with a baton and removed her hijab.

The Old City was soon taken over with scenes of panic, as Israeli police moved quickly to clear the streets of people.

People were beaten with batons and youths were pinned to the ground in an effort to restrict their movement.

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, at least 41 people were wounded by live ammunition when Israeli forces fired at the Damascus Gate and Sheikh Jarrah areas.

A number of international rights organisations have condemned Israel's targeting of journalists who are covering the rise in escalations. Over the past week, journalists have been harassed and denied entry to certain locations.

In some areas, large trucks drove around spraying skunk water, which has been described as smelling like sewage mixed with rotting corpses, to clear the streets of people.

Tuesday's strike is the first of its kind since 1936 when Palestinians rallied against oppressive policies imposed by the British Mandate.

It comes amid plans to forcibly displace residents of the Palestinian neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah in occupied East Jerusalem, and after days of attacks at the al-Aqsa Mosque complex.