GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories, Feb 18, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Nineteen
Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were wounded Sunday during clashes in
the northern Gaza Strip, the Israeli army and Palestinian medical sources
said.
“IDF (Israel Defence Forces) soldier injured when an explosive device was
thrown during Gaza riots on Israel’s border fence,” the army said on Twitter.
It added that Israeli tanks struck “two Hamas military posts in Gaza in
response to the explosive device”.
In Gaza, the health ministry of the Islamist Hamas movement that runs the
enclave said 19 Palestinians were wounded by live ammunition during the
clashes.
Palestinians have for nearly a year gathered at least weekly in various
spots along the Gaza border for often violent protests.
They want to be able to return to the homes their families fled from in
the war surrounding Israel’s creation in 1948, and are calling for an end to
the Jewish state’s blockade of Gaza.
At least 250 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since
March 30, the majority during border protests but also by tank fire and air
strikes.
Two Israeli soldiers have been killed during the same period.
Israel says its actions are necessary to defend the border and stop mass
incursions into its territory.