6 killed in Israel-Hamas clashes
JERUSALEM — A fresh wave of fighting erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, leaving at least six militants dead just as Israel and Hamas had appeared to be making progress toward ratcheting down months of border violence.
Although it was unclear what set off the burst of violence, Hamas said a “security incident” had left “a number” of dead and wounded, while the Israeli military said an “exchange of fire” took place during operational activity in Gaza. The Palestinian Health Ministry said six militants were killed and six others wounded, as air raid sirens warning of incoming rockets sounded in southern Israel, near Gaza.
Sunday’s development shattered what appeared to be a turning point after months of bloodshed along the Israel-Gaza border, with weekly Hamas-led protests drawing thousands to the perimeter fence with Israel. More than 160 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the border protests in which Palestinians throw rocks, burning tires and grenades toward Israeli troops.
In response to the violence, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was cutting short his trip to Paris, where world leaders had gathered to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
Last week, Israel allowed Qatar to deliver $15 million in aid to Gaza’s cashstrapped Hamas rulers. Hamas responded by lowering the intensity of Friday’s border protest.
Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu defended his decision to allow the transfer of the Qatari money, rejecting criticism that the move had strengthened the Islamic militant group.
Netanyahu told reporters that it was “the right step” at the moment and that he was committed to restoring quiet along the Israel-Gaza frontier and preventing a humanitarian crisis in the coastal Palestinian territory.
“Every action, without exception, has a price,” he said. “If you can’t handle the price you cannot lead. And I can handle the price.”
Israeli critics, including members of Netanyahu’s hard-line coalition, accused him of capitulating to violence and of granting relief to the embattled Hamas group.
Mahmoud Abbas, the internationally backed Palestinian Authority president whose forces lost control of Gaza to Hamas in 2007, angrily accused the U.S. and Israel of being involved in a “conspiracy” to permanently sever Gaza from the West Bank. He promised to take unspecified measures against his Hamas rivals in the coming days.
Hamas leaders in Gaza have described the arrival of the $15 million, delivered last week by a Qatari diplomat, as their first major gain after more than seven months of weekly protests along the perimeter fence.