Two Palestinian teens, including a 14-year-old boy, were shot and killed during mass protests along the Gaza border, where 17 others were wounded by live fire, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the Strip.
Some 8,000 Palestinians gathered along the border for the weekly demonstrations and riots, throwing rocks, fire bombs and explosives at soldiers, who responded with tear gas and occasional live fire.
The health ministry said that the 14-year-old boy, identified as Hassan Shalabi, was shot in the chest in a protest near Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Media reports said Shalabi was a relative of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Shortly after, the ministry announced the death of 18-year-old Hamza Ishtawi, saying he was shot in the neck during similar clashes east of Gaza City.
The Israeli army declined to comment on the deaths, but said 8,200 “rioters and demonstrators” had been protesting along the border.
“They are hurling rocks at troops and towards the security fence, as well as a number of explosive devices that did not cross the fence,” a spokesman said.
Israeli troops “responded with riot dispersal means and fired according to standard operating procedures,” he added.
For the past several months, Egypt, UN special coordinator to the Middle East peace process Nikolay Mladenov and Qatar have worked to try to restore calm in Gaza and prevent flare-ups between Israel and terror groups in the Strip.
In recent weeks, tensions between Israel and terror groups in Gaza rose after a Palestinian sniper opened fire on a group of Israeli soldiers. The bullet hit the helmet of an officer, lightly injuring him.
On Wednesday, Palestinians fired a rocket into Israel. The projectile reportedly fell in the area of the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council. There were no reports of damage or injuries in the attack.
In response, an Israeli tank opened fire at a Hamas position in southern Gaza.
Also this week, Israel announced that it had begun the final phase of construction of a 20-foot high galvanized steel fence that will completely surround the Strip.
The barrier will extend 65 kilometers (40 miles) miles around the enclave and sit atop the subterranean concrete wall Israel is constructing around Gaza to block terrorist groups’ attack tunnels.
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