Israeli police used tear gas and live ammunition in an effort to disburse hundreds of Palestinians protesting near its border in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported.
The protests are to persuade Israel to end its blockade of Gaza, also enforced by Egypt, that strictly limits goods and people from moving in and out of the region. During Wednesday’s protests, Israel’s military said it was using .22 caliber gunfire. Palestinian medics reported at least nine were injured during the demonstration.
The event follows a similar one on Saturday in which hundreds of protesting Palestinians stormed Israel’s border fence. More than 40 Palestinians were injured after being struck by Israeli gunfire and an Israeli soldier was critically injured after being shot in the head by a Palestinian militant.
“They are presenting riots as peaceful,” said Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Amnon Shefler. “In reality, these riots are extremely violent.”
The blockade of Gaza began in 2007 when Hamas, the militant group against Israel, seized control of the region. Hamas has organized the protests as the group and Israel have battled against each other since 2007, most recently in May during an 11-day war.
For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.
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The Israeli military beefed up its forces ahead of Wednesday’s demonstration.
Hamas’ Al-Aqsa TV showed crowds of people approaching the fence, then running away when an Israeli military vehicle arrived. Tear gas could be seen floating in the wind. The .22 caliber gunfire used by the military is a type of weapon that is meant to be less lethal than more powerful firearms but can still be deadly.
The demonstration Saturday resulted in violent clashes.
An Israeli soldier was critically wounded when a Palestinian militant shot him in the head through a hole in the wall at point-blank range. One of the injured Palestinians, Osama Dueji, died of his wounds Wednesday. Gaza’s ruling Hamas militant group identified him as a member of its armed wing.
Shefler said that demonstrators on Saturday fired weapons and lobbed explosives at soldiers and tried to tear down the fence.
He declined to say how many troops had been mobilized on Wednesday but said the number was much larger than on Saturday and included riot-control forces.
Hamas has organized the protests in an attempt to put pressure on Israel to ease its blockade of Gaza.
Hamas took control of Gaza a year after winning a Palestinian election. The blockade has devastated Gaza’s economy and fueled an unemployment rate hovering around 50 percent. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from building up its military capabilities.
Israel and Hamas have fought four wars and numerous skirmishes.
Hamas accuses Israel of violating the cease-fire that ended the fighting by tightening the blockade. In particular, it has restricted the entry of materials needed for reconstruction. Israel has demanded the return of the remains of two soldiers killed in a 2014 war, as well as the return of two Israeli civilians believed to be in Hamas captivity.
Last week, Israel reached an agreement with Qatar to allow the Gulf country to resume aid payments to thousands of impoverished Gaza families.
Under the new system, the payments will be delivered by the United Nations directly to families that have been vetted by Israel. In the past, the aid was delivered as cash straight to Hamas.
The payments are expected to begin in the coming weeks, providing some relief in Gaza.
But tensions remain high. In addition to the demonstrations, Hamas has allowed its supporters to launch incendiary balloons across the border, setting off a number of wildfires in southern Israel. Israel has responded with a series of airstrikes on Hamas targets in Gaza.
Egypt, which serves as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, has been working to broker a longer-term truce between the bitter enemies.
This week, Egypt closed its border crossing with Gaza, the main exit point for the territory’s people to travel abroad, in a show of frustration with Hamas.
Adel Hana/AP Photo
