by Shahar Klaiman , Lilach Shoval and News Agencies
"The occupation will not enjoy calm unless the siege on our beloved land is lifted," says a spokesman for the Hamas-backed rioters.
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| Palestinian rioters take cover next to burning tires near the Gaza border fence east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 | Photo: AP//Abdel Kareem Hana |
Hundreds of Hamas-backed rioters on Saturday launched what they said was the first in a series of nighttime protests along the Israeli border, throwing explosives toward IDF troops who responded with live fire.
Organizers said the violent gatherings, which are to continue throughout the week, were meant to step up pressure on Israel to ease an economic blockade on the Gaza Strip.
"The occupation will not enjoy calm unless the siege on our beloved land is lifted," said Abu Omar, a spokesman for the rioters.
Israel and Egypt have maintained the blockade since Hamas, an extremist Islamist group sworn to Israel's destruction, seized control of Gaza in 2007.
Amateur video footage and photos from inside Gaza showed hundreds of Palestinian rioters engaged in Saturday's gathering. Some appeared to be throwing explosives and chanting in celebrations as blasts sounded.
The IDF said troops responded to the explosives by firing live rounds toward the protesters. It said there were no wounded on the Israeli side.
Gaza health officials said three protesters were wounded by Israeli response fire.
Earlier Saturday, Gaza health officials said a 12-year-old Palestinian boy died from head wounds after being shot during a similar riot a week earlier.
At that riot, Israeli soldier Barel Hadaria Shmueli was shot in the head from point-blank range by a terrorist. He remains in critical condition.
A Palestinian man, identified as a member of Hamas' military wing, was also killed in that protest.
Hamas-linked terrorists also launched a number of incendiary balloons from Gaza Saturday afternoon, sparking two fires in southern Israel, according to the Israeli fire service.
Egypt has been trying to mediate a longer-term cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that appeared to be making progress last week when it pressured Hamas to restrain a border riot on Wednesday.
The following day, Israel said it was easing some of the commercial restrictions on Gaza, allowing vehicles, goods and equipment for rebuilding projects to enter the Palestinian enclave. Israel said the easing could expand further if things remain quiet.
The Israeli government reached an agreement with Qatar on August 19 allowing the Gulf country to resume aid payments to families in Gaza, a move aimed at reducing tensions with Hamas. Israel suspended aid payments in May, saying the move was necessary to ensure Hamas did not benefit from cash injections.
But Saturday night's protest indicated violence could soon escalate again.
Shahar Klaiman , Lilach Shoval and News Agencies
Source: https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/08/29/explosives-thrown-at-idf-troops-as-hamas-renews-border-riots/
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