On Saturday, hundreds of Hamas-backed activists launched what they claimed was the first of a series nighttime protests at the Israeli border. They hurled explosives at Israeli forces who responded by firing live fire.
According to organizers, the gatherings will continue for the duration of the week and are intended to increase pressure on Israel to lift a crippling economic blockade placed on Gaza Strip.
Abu Omar, a spokesperson for the protesters, stated that “The occupation won’t enjoy calm until the siege upon our beloved land is lifted.”
Since Hamas, which swore to Israel’s destruction and seized Gaza in 2007, one year after winning Palestinian elections, Israel and Egypt have kept the blockade.
The blockade restricts movement of people and goods in and out Gaza and has devastated the economy. Israel has increased the blockade since May’s 11-day war, demanding the release of two soldiers who died in combat and the release of two civilians held captive by Hamas.
Photographs and amateur footage from Gaza showed hundreds of Palestinian protesters participating in Saturday’s event. As the blasts sounded, some were seen chanting and throwing explosives.
According to the Israeli military, troops responded to explosives by firing live shots at protesters. According to the Israeli military, there were no injuries.
Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency, reported that five protestors were hurt by Israeli fire.
A 12-year-old Palestinian boy who was shot in the head during a demonstration similar to one last week, Gaza health officials reported that he died on Saturday.
A second Palestinian man was killed, identified as belonging to Hamas’ military wings. Meanwhile, a protester shot an Israeli soldier in the head at point-blank range. The soldier is still in critical condition.
According to the Israeli fire department, Hamas-linked operatives also launched incendiary balls from Gaza on Saturday afternoon. This set off two fires in southern Israel.
Israel and Hamas have been bitter enemies since 2007, when they fought four wars, and many skirmishes. Israel claims the closure is necessary in order to stop Hamas gathering arms, while critics claim the blockade amounts collective punishment.
Egypt has been trying mediation to reach a longer-term ceasefire to ease the blockade. It appeared to be making some progress last week when it pressed Hamas to stop a protest at its border on Wednesday.
Israel announced that it would ease some restrictions on Gaza’s commercial trade, allowing cars, goods, and equipment to be brought into the Palestinian enclave. If things are quiet, Israel indicated that the easing could continue.
On Aug. 19, the Israeli government reached a deal with Qatar that allowed Qatar to resume aid payments for Gazan families. This move was made to ease tensions with Hamas. Israel stopped aid payments to Gaza in May. The move was necessary to prevent Hamas from receiving cash injections.
However, Saturday’s demonstration showed that violence could quickly escalate.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 260 Palestinians died in the Gaza-Israel conflict. This includes 67 children and 39 mothers. Hamas has admitted the deaths of 80 militants. One soldier and twelve civilians were also killed in Israel.
