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ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-CONFLICT-GAZA
Israeli fire kills 2 Gazans in new border clashes: Palestinians
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories, Sept 18, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Israeli
security forces shot dead two Palestinians in clashes along the Gaza border
on Tuesday evening, the health ministry in the Palestinian enclave said.
The two men, who were not immediately identified, were killed during fresh
protests near the Erez checkpoint between Gaza and Israel, the scene of
regular confrontation between stone throwing youths and Israeli soldiers in
recent months.
Hundreds of Palestinians approached the border crossing shortly before
sunset Tuesday, when the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur was set to begin.
The protests are part of months of demonstrations against Israel’s decade-
long blockade of the enclave.
Since they began on March 30, at least 183 Palestinians have been killed by
Israeli fire in Gaza.
One Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper.
The Erez checkpoint was closed for a week this month after a similar
protest damaged the crossing.
Separately, two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike late
Monday night after planting a suspicious device on the border, the Israeli
army said.
Israel says its strict measures against Gaza are necessary to isolate the
strip’s Islamist rulers Hamas, with whom it has fought three wars since 2008.
BSS/AFP/MRI/2327 HRS