GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories – At least 42 Palestinians were woundedby Israeli sniper fire in renewed protests along the Gaza-Israel borderFriday, the enclave’s health ministry said.
A statement from the ministry’s spokesman said 42 people “were shot byIsraeli occupation forces” during the 50th week of often-violentdemonstrations.
Four medics were among those wounded, the ministry said.
An Israeli army spokesman said “approximately 8,400 demonstrators andrioters are currently gathered in a number of locations along the GazaStrip security fence”.
“They have hurled explosive devices and rocks at the security fence andsoldiers, and have also ignited tyres,” the spokesman said.
Troops responded according to “standard operating procedures”, he added.
Protests and clashes began along the Gaza border on March 30 last year.
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Demonstrators have been calling for Palestinian refugees to be allowed toreturn to their former homes now inside Israel, which Israeli officials sayis akin to calling for their country’s destruction.
Israel accuses Gaza’s Islamist rulers Hamas of using the protests as coverfor infiltrations and attacks, while rights groups and Palestinians sayprotesters posing little threat have been shot by Israeli snipers.
At least 252 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since March2018, the majority shot during weekly border protests and others hit bytank fire or air strikes in response to violence from Gaza.
Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period.
Israel and Hamas, which has controlled the blockaded Gaza Strip for over adecade, have fought three wars since 2008. – APP/AFP
