The Palestinian “March of Return,” a series of mass protests along the border between Gaza and Israel, is taking place on Friday with thousands of demonstrators rallying in six different locations amid tension in the Gaza Strip, including two Palestinians killed by the Israeli army, as well as dozens wounded, according to the IDF.
Israeli forces to deploy more than 100 snipers along Gaza border ahead of mass protests ■ Gaza mass protests force Israeli military to maneuver between two contradictory goals | Analysis
A Palestinian farmer was killed early Friday morning near the town of Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip. Another was wounded by an Israeli tank shell, and is in critical condition.
Omar Wahid Samur, 27, was killed by Israeli tank fire. Al-Aqsa TV, the official Hamas-run television channel, also reported on the incident.
A second Palestinian, Mohammed Kamal, 25, was reportedly killed in Jabalia, according to medical sources in Gaza.
According to the IDF, dozens of Palestinians have been wounded in separate incidents since Friday morning.
According to medical staff, 90 people were wounded by gunfire and tear gas; in Rafah, 53 were wounded, including 34 by gunfire. No serious injuries have been reported since the morning.
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In a separate incident, the Israeli army fired at two suspects in the northern Gaza Strip, according to the IDF. The forces were dealing with the security infrastructure of the border fence.
In light of the situation, the IDF declared a closed military zone along the border fence.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh spoke to marchers in the eastern Gaza Strip. “The Palestinian people have proved time after time that they can take the initiative and do great things. This march is the beginning of the return to all of Palestine.”
Haniyeh said they will not compromise and there is no solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without a return to “the entire land of Palestine.”
“This march sends a message that the Palestinian people are united against the occupation and against the blockade and against the concessions and against the suspicious deals,” Haniyeh added.
The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed three Palestinians were wounded by gunfire in three different areas east of Jabalya and Rafah in the Gaza Strip and have been taken to a hospital. They are reportedly in moderate condition.
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman wrote to Gaza residents in Arabic on his official Twitter account Friday morning ahead of the mass Gaza protests.
“The leadership of Hamas is playing with your lives. Anyone who comes close to the [border] fence today puts himself at risk. I suggest to you to continue your lives and not participate in a provocation,” Lieberman warned.
Over the last few days the IDF has warned that it would open fire on anyone who tries to breach the border fence and enter Israel.
The IDF has brought a brigade, snipers and soldiers from various courses, to help local troops deal with Friday’s demonstration. The snipers have been instructed to shoot demonstrators who breach the fence.
In a ceremony marking a change of Military Intelligence commanders on Wednesday, Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot said that the situation in Gaza is “highly explosive” and “threatens to damage the sensitive life fabric and safety of the region’s residents.”
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