Israeli Army Wound 130 Palestinians at Gaza Border Protest

Reuters
Friday 19 Oct 2018
Gaza

Israeli soldiers are seen next to the border fence on the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border as Palestinians protest on the Gaza side of the border, Israel October 19, 2018 (Photo: Reuters)

Israeli soldiers shot and wounded 130 Palestinians during protests near the Gaza Strip border on Friday, the enclave's Health Ministry said.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said about 10,000 demonstrators massed at the border.

But the protest was relatively small - some of the previous gatherings included about 30,000 people, a sign that tensions that have built up in the past few days may be easing.

On Thursday Israel had ramped up armoured forces along the Gaza border, a day after a rocket fired from the Israeli-besieged enclave destroyed a home in southern Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed "very strong action" if attacks continued.

Palestinians have been protesting along the border since March 30, demanding an end to Israel's blockade of the territory and the right to return to lands that Palestinians fled or were driven from upon Israel’s founding in 1948.

About 200 Gazans have been killed by Israeli troops since the protests started, according to Palestinian Health Ministry figures, and an Israeli soldier was killed by a Palestinian sniper.

More than 2 million Palestinians are packed into the narrow coastal enclave. Israel pulled troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005 but maintains tight control of its land and sea borders.

Israel launched three miltiary offensives on Gaza during the past decade.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.