Palestinians say 20 Gazans injured by IDF,

Twenty Palestinians were wounded on Tuesday during clashes with the IDF in the northern Gaza Strip, the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health said.

The Palestinians were participating in the Hamas-sponsored “naval protest” near the Bet Lahia beach, according to Hamas sources. The soldiers used tear-gas to disperse the “peaceful” protesters, the sources said.

The Palestinian Red Crescent organization claimed that seven Palestinians were wounded by gunfire. Two of them were said to have sustained moderate wounds. The remaining Palestinians were taken to the hospital for tear-gas inhalation, the organization said.

The IDF said its soldiers had responded to a violent riot by the border of Southern Gaza that involved some 150 protesters who threw stones and rolled burning tires at the security forces. Some of the protesters also attempted to place explosive devices by the barrier.

Gaza border protests have been heating up as media outlets reported that Qatar is unlikely to renew its funding pledge to provide fuel for the Gaza power plant. Qatar pledge $150 million to Gaza in the fall in an attempt to alleviate humanitarian suffering in the Hamas ruled Gaza Strip.

The United Nations and Israel hold that such funds would help quell Palestinian violence and help prevent an outbreak of hostilities between the IDF and Hamas that could lead to war.

Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding with the UN in January to provide $20m. over the course of the next year for Palestinians in need.

It had already given $30m. in cash to Hamas in November and December of last year. In January it gave $10m. to 94,000 poor Gaza families, which was broken down to $100 per family. It’s still expected to distribute three more payments of $10m. each to Gaza.

In addition, Qatar pledged $60m. for fuel for a period of roughly six months that ends i in April. Qatar had never spoken of renewing that pledge, but it is now presumed that no more money will be immediately forthcoming for Gaza fuel.