Palestinian protesters have clashed with Israeli troops outside a jail near the West Bank city of Ramallah.

The protesters were demonstrating Tuesday at Ofer jail in solidarity with hundreds of Palestinian prisoners who have gone on a hunger strike over poor prison conditions. Soldiers fired tear gas at the group as protesters hurled stones and other objects at the troops. Several people were injured.

Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have joined a hunger strike that started two weeks ago. More than 6,000 Palestinians are held in Israeli jails for crimes ranging from killing Israelis to stone-throwing.

Israeli officials call the prison conditions satisfactory and say they may resort to force-feeding those on a hunger strike.