4 dead, 300 hurt in Gaza in clashes with Israeli army

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Four Palestinian demonstrators were killed and more than 300 were injured in clashes with the Israeli army on the Gaza border since Friday night, the Gaza Health Ministry said Saturday.

Violence erupted between demonstrators and Israeli soldiers stationed on the Israel-Gaza border, as tens of thousands demonstrated to mark the anniversary of the Great March of Return protests.

The Israeli army, which put the number of protesters at 40,000, accused participants of throwing rocks and setting tires on fire. In addition, a number of grenades and explosive devices were thrown at the border fence, it said.

Witnesses said Israeli soldiers fired tear gas and live gunfire at the demonstrators to keep them from approaching the fence.

The Israeli army warned Gazans not to approach the fence during the protests.

The army said that troops had fired “in accordance with standard operating procedures.”

The Gazan Health Ministry said Saturday that at least 316 Palestinians had been injured. Of those, 64 were shot. Others were hurt by shrapnel, exposure to tear gas or being hit by tear gas canisters.

The Great March of Return protests, which have been going on weekly since they began a year ago, call for the right of return of Palestinian refugees and their descendants to the territory of today’s Israel, and for an end to the 12-year-long blockade imposed by Israel.

A general strike was held in the Gaza Strip and the Health Ministry and Interior Ministry declared a state of emergency.

Governmental and private sector institutions were closed, including schools, universities and stores all in the Gaza Strip, except medical institutions, clinics and hospitals.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, 269 Palestinians have been killed and thousands injured in the protests since they started last year.