File photo of Gaza rioters
Photo: AFP
Four Palestinians breach Gaza border, ignite tire in protest
IDF Spokesperson's Unit says Israeli soldiers fired warning shots at four Palestinians they spotted breaching the Gaza border security fence and setting a tire on fire; the four fled back to the strip unharmed.
Four Palestinians crossed the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip and infiltrated Israeli territory Saturday, where they burnt a tire as part of the "March of Return" protest.
An IDF force that spotted them arrived and fired warning shots at them. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated that the suspects then fled back into the Gaza Strip.
No casualties were reported.
File photo of Gaza rioters burning tires (Photo: AFP)
On Friday, an explosive device was thrown at an IDF force north of the Gaza Strip border, as the weekly protest resumed once more. No one was hurt.
With dwindling numbers, some 1,600 Palestinian protesters have gathered in two locations along the Gaza border security fence. Most of the participants kept their distance and remained about 800 meters from the fence. Dozens of youths, however, advanced to around 300 meters distance and burned tires at one protest spot. East of Gaza City some youths came right up to the fence and tried to pull it apart.
Israeli troops fired tear gas and live rounds. Soldiers also fired at kites with flaming tails to try to bring them down before they landed in Israeli farmland and set crops alight.
(Photo: Reuters)
Gaza health ministry officials said at least 109 protesters were hurt. Medics said at least 10 were wounded by live rounds.
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and the group’s Gaza leader, Yehya Al-Sinwar, joined separate protest encampments raising cheers from the assembled crowds.
(Photo: AFP)
"The marches of return are not over. They may be smaller but we are continuing," said Ali, a participant who masked his face with his t-shirt at a protest east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
Protesters dispersed as dusk fell to prepare to break their daytime fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
