'Nakba Day' clash in Gaza: IDF forces opened fire at a Palestinian man who was apparently trying to place an explosive device in the northern Gaza Strip near Kibbutz Nahal Oz, military sources said.
The suspected terrorist was hurt by the fire.
In another incident soldiers spotted several Palestinians who approached the border fence near the Erez crossing and fired at their legs, the army said
Palestinian anger in Gaza (Photo: Reuters)
Medical sources in Gaza said 45 people who were taking part in a protest march were injured, including one person in critical condition. According to the reports, the wounded include journalists and children.
The Associated Press reported that an Israeli tank fired two shells at Palestinians approaching the fence and injured at least 15 of them.
According to the report, all those wounded were below 18 years of age. Palestinian women also arrived at the Erez Crossing and hurled stones at the site.
Meanwhile, residents of Gaza-vicinity communities were asked to remain alert for the possibility of rocket and missile attacks from the Strip. Farmers working in fields adjacent to the border fence were asked to return to their homes.
As part of the "Nakba Day" events, marches took place across the Gaza Strip. Hamas Prime Minister in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh reaffirmed the group's hard-line principles in a speech to 10,000 of Muslim worshippers Sunday.
Palestinians mark the occasion of "Nakba Day" this year "with a great hope of bringing to an end the Zionist project in Palestine," Haniyeh said in his speech.
AP contributed to the story
First published: 14:37, 05.15.11