IDF warns Gazans: Don't protest on Friday or you'll get hurt
"How do you want to spend your Friday? With members of your family, or at the violence on the fence?" Sarhan posted on Facebook in Arabic.
By YVETTE J. DEANEUpdated: DECEMBER 27, 2018 11:06A demonstrator wearing a mask at the back of his head holds a Palestinian flag during a protest near the Israel-Gaza border fence, in the southern Gaza Strip December 21, 2018. (photo credit: REUTERS/IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA)
Head of Coordination and Liaison Administration in Gaza, Col. Iyad Sarhan, urged Gazans to stay away from protests via the Arabic-language Facebook page of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) on Thursday."How do you want to spend your Friday? With members of your family, or at the violence on the fence?" Sarhan wrote. “The IDF will not tolerate attempts to sabotage the fence or violations of Israel's sovereignty!""We too want a Friday without casualties among you, but this depends on you and you alone," Sarhan added. "Keep your distance from the fence area, in so doing you will keep yourselves safe."This warning comes as four Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured last week during the weekly March of Return protests along the Gaza border that tend to ramp up on Friday after prayers.Some 8,000 Palestinians took part in the protests last Friday. They burned tires and threw rocks and an explosive device toward troops, though it did not land in Israeli territory.Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.
