At least four Palestinians have been injured during night protests and clashes with Israeli soldiers in the eastern Gaza Strip, authorities say.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
The Palestinians were shot and injured in Israeli gunfire near the border, Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qedra told reporters on Saturday. One of the victims is in a critical condition.
Local media reported protesters burned tires close to the border fence, mainly east of Kahn Younis in southern Gaza Strip, east of al-Bureij in central Gaza Strip and east of Gaza City.
The night confusion units, which are part of the so-called "Great March of Return" protests which began March 30, also detonated sound bombs on the border to confuse Israeli forces and disturb the residents of nearby Israeli towns.
Israeli media said about 300 sound bombs were used over three hours, with no injuries reported.
The units said in a press statement earlier on Saturday that the night rallies will continue along the coastal enclave's borders this week.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians have taken part in the demonstrations, demanding Palestinians be allowed to return to what is now Israel.
At the end of February, UN investigators said there is evidence pointing to crimes against humanity by Israeli security forces who shot, injured and killed Palestinians during the massive protests last year.
A UN Commission of Inquiry consisting of independent human rights experts counted 189 killed and estimated more than 9,000 injured Palestinians. Other counts put the number of Palestinian victims at 260 and the injured in excess of 26,000.
A UN human rights report that was submitted to the Human Rights Council did not only focus on these casualties, but also acknowledged that the protest organisers, including Hamas militants, encouraged the use of incendiary flying objects that caused extensive damage and fear in southern Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected this report, accusing Hamas of terrorist activities.
"Israel will continue to exercise its right of self defence and will protect its citizens against terror and aggression. Israel will not cooperate with the Council on the issue," the Foreign Ministry said Friday in a statement.
Israel is due to head to the polls on April 9, and the leading candidates have promised to take even tougher measures against militant Palestinians in Gaza.
Hamas, Gaza's ruling party, is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.
Australian Associated Press
