BORDER VIOLENCE ERUPTS AMID CEASEFIRE
Violence erupted at the Gaza border Friday after the territory’s militant Islamic Hamas rulers and Israel appeared to be honouring a ceasefire that ended two days of intense violence amid efforts by neighbouring Egypt to negotiate between the two sides.
Israel’s military said no rockets were fired from Gaza at Israel overnight and it conducted no airstrikes in
Gaza against Hamas targets. Israel’s government hasn’t confirmed the truce.
On Friday evening, however, two Palestinians, including a paramedic, were shot and killed by Israeli fire at a Hamas-led protest along the border, Gaza’s Health Ministry said. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the deaths.
The military said a tank fired shells at a Hamas position
after Palestinians threw explosive devices and a grenade at forces stationed near the border. It was not clear whether the Hamas protests at the border were included in ceasefire negotiations.
Hamas’ Al Aqsa TV channel reported Thursday that the Egyptian-brokered deal took hold “on the basis of mutual calm.” It was at least the third truce in recent weeks.
Also on Friday, the Israeli military lifted restrictive recommendations for residents of some areas in southern Israel that it had set amid the Palestinian bombing, including suggestions to avoid open areas and beaches.