Palestinian shot dead during Gaza protests
Thousands throw burning tires, rocks and explosive devices at IDF troops during weekly violent protests on border fence; PRC member killed by army fire.
Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) member taking part in the violent "March of Return" protests on the northern Gaza border fence near Kibbutz Zikim was shot dead by IDF fire Monday, Gaza health officials said.
The IDF said thousands had taken part in the demonstration, throwing burning tires, rocks and explosive devices at the troops on the other side of the border fence. Soldiers responded with riot dispersal measures according to rules of engagement, a military spokesman said.
In addition, around 10 Palestinian boats sailed off the coast to challenge the blockade over the strip, drawing warning shots from the Israeli navy. There were no reports of Palestinian casualties.
Earlier, a cluster of balloons with explosive devices attached to it exploded in the Kissufim Forest, where the balloons initially landed.
No casualties or damage were reported.
In addition, nine fires broke out amid incendiary balloons across the Gaza border communities since Monday morning, with three conflagrations sparking in the Be'eri forest and two in the Kissufim forest.
KKL, Nature and Parks Authority and firefighting teams gained complete control over the flames.
On Sunday, Gaza's Hamas rulers said their indirect ceasefire talks with Israel have halted, despite expressing optimism regarding negotiations talks with Israel earlier, following a round of meetings with senior Egyptian intelligence officials in the strip on Saturday.
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri blamed the impasse on the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, which has voiced its strong opposition to the talks.
Abu Zuhri said that in response, his Islamic terror group is escalating its protests in new locations along Gaza's borders with Israel.
At about 10pm Sunday, an IDF aircraft attacked near a cell launching incendiary balloons at Israel from the northern strip.
Shortly after, Gaza's health ministry said that a 21-year-old died in skirmishes between dozens of protesters and Israeli forces.
Reuters contributed to this article.
