Israeli forces shot and killed two Palestinian men on Friday and wounded more than 50 others taking part in the weekly demonstrations along the fence dividing Israel and Gaza.
Palestinian protests along the fence have been going on almost every Friday for a year. More than 250 Palestinians have been killed and more than 6,000 injured by Israeli troops during these demonstrations.
Demonstrators gather along the militarized barrier to demand the right of Palestinian refugees to return home. They are also demanding an end to Israel’s 12-year blockade of the Gaza Strip.
A spokesperson for the Health Ministry said the men, aged 29 and 18, were killed by Israeli fire at two sites in central Gaza. Jihad Harara, 18, was shot in the head east of Gaza City. Nidal Shatat, 29, was hit in the chest near the al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza.
There are reports of three instances of medical personnel and ambulances targeted by tear gas at the encampments set up along the fence.
Ali Jadallah, an Anadolu Agency photojournalist, was reportedly among those wounded and was transferred at a nearby hospital for treatment.
Around 2 million people live in Gaza, which faces a severe humanitarian crisis. For nearly a year, as part of the Great March of Return, Palestinians have been protesting for an end to the blockade on Gaza and for recognition of their right to return home. The Great March of Return began March 30th 2018.
Photo: “FtpTrial-AA_14052018_746790” by Jordi Bernabeu Farrús is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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