500 more wounded in new clashes on Israeli border
gaza city — Clashes erupted as thousands protested for a third consecutive Friday along Gaza’s border with Israel after violence in which Israeli forces have killed 33 Palestinians and wounded hundreds of others.
The numbers of protesters were smaller than in previous weeks, though still substantial and with Gaza’s health ministry reporting dozens more Palestinians wounded by Israeli gunfire.
Clashes between stone-throwing Palestinians and Israeli soldiers took place in multiple spots along the border while tear gas and plumes of black smoke from burning tyres filled the air in some areas.
More than 500 people were wounded, including 122 from gunfire, according to Gaza’s health ministry, with the other injuries including those from tear gas.
Two journalists were wounded by gunfire, the Palestinian journalists’
I am not afraid of death because there is no life in Gaza already
syndicate said, a week after a Gazan journalist was killed.
Israel’s army estimated the number of people “rioting” at 10,000 and alleged there were attempts to damage and breach the border fence, while it said firebombs and explosive devices were used.
Palestinians also sought to pull away barbed wire set up by Israeli forces to keep them away from the fence, an AFP journalist said.
The military said soldiers responded “with riot dispersal means and are firing in accordance with the rules of engagement.”
It distributed a photo of “a terrorist wielding an item suspected of being an explosive device,” but an AFP journalist who witnessed the event said it was a firework that did not explode.
Dozens of Israeli flags were burned, as were photos of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. The protests since March 30 have posed a challenge to Israel, which has dismissed criticism of its use of live fire, saying its rules of engagement are necessary and will not change.
Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Friday “there are fewer riots on our border,” adding that “our resolve is well-understood on the other side.” In the northern Gaza Strip, Sumaya Abu Awad, 36, attended the protest with her three daughters and son. “I am not afraid of death because there is no life in Gaza already,” she said.
The protests, planned to last six weeks, are calling for Palestinian
There are fewer riots on our border and our resolve is well-understood on the other side
Avigdor Lieberman, Israeli minister refugees to return to their former homes that are now inside Israel — which Israelis say amounts to calling for the country’s destruction.
The first two Fridays — with far less on intervening days — saw tens of thousands gather near the border with Israel at five locations.
Smaller numbers have approached the fence, throwing stones and rolling burning tyres toward soldiers taking up positions on the other side.
Israel accuses Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs Gaza and with whom it has fought three wars since 2008, of using the protests as cover to carry out violence. —