Palestinian approaching Gaza border fence shot by IDF
IDF fires at 16-year-old after he approached fence near Beit Lahiya, ignored warning shots; Gaza medical sources say boy was seriously wounded, rushed to hospital.
IDF troops shot a 16-year-old boy who approached the security fence in the northern Gaza Strip after he failed to respond to warning shots on Saturday. Medical sources in Gaza reported that the boy was seriously wounded near the Beit Lahia area. Along with the boy were two other Palestinians who returned with him to Gaza Strip territory after he sustained the wounds.
On Thursday afternoon, Palestinians opened fire from Gaza on an IDF patrol jeep driving alongside the security barrier near Kibbutz Be'eri. There were no casualties; the windshield of the vehicle was damaged. An IDF tank fired a round towards the origin of the shooting in retaliation.
Last month, Ynet revealed that soldiers serving in the Gaza sector have expressed concerns over the border patrols they conduct with unarmored vehicles – leaving them open to machine gun fire, sniper fire, and anti-tank fire.
The IDF claimed the jeeps do not patrol along the security barrier, but testimonies from combat troops present a different picture.
Last week, the Palestinian Health Ministry said IDF forces shot dead a Palestinian in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday, the first such fatality since a 50-day Gaza war ended in August.
Official Gazan sources said a 32-year-old Palestinian was killed by IDF fire east of Jabalia close to the security barrier with Israel. He was evacuated to a hospital in the northern Strip where he succumbed to his wounds. The circumstances behind the shooting were unclear.
The IDF said two Palestinian suspects approached the security barrier, and soldiers asked them to maintain distance. After the IDF force fired in the air and the Palestinians continued approaching, they shot towards the legs of one of the suspects – a hit was identified. The second Palestinian then fled.
