IDF soldier near Gaza
Photo: Reuters
Foreign peace activists reportedly hurt by IDF
Three protestors hurt by IDF fire while marching near Gaza fence, Palestinians say
Three protestors were hurt Saturday by IDF fire near the Gaza Strip's Kissufim Crossing, Palestinian sources say.
One of the wounded is reportedly a foreign peace activist.
The IDF said that soldiers opened fire after the Palestinians refused to leave the area, which they are banned from entering, despite warnings.
Palestinian sources said the three wounded marched close to the fence in the central Gaza Strip. They said the foreign activist, a Maltese female, sustained light leg wounds.
A Palestinian women at the site sustained serious stomach wounds, the sources said.
Warning shots fired
The army said that about 30 Palestinians were involved in the incident and entered a forbidden zone near the border fence. The protestors refused to leave the site after warning shots were fired in the air, the army said, adding that troops then fired towards the lower body of the demonstrators.
IDF sources stressed that the area where the incident took place is known for combat activity and civilians have been ordered to stay away for it, for fear of terror attacks. The Palestinians were fired at only after refusing to leave the site for long minutes, the army said.
In recent weeks, several clashes between IDF troops and armed Palestinians took place near the border fence.
Hanan Greenberg contributed to the report
