Palestinian woman killed, IDF soldier wounded in clashes along Gaza border
13,000 Palestinians take part in violent protests; IDF strikes Hamas positions in response to violence; Attempted stabbing attack thwarted near Hebron.
By ANNA AHRONHEIMUpdated: JANUARY 13, 2019 05:51Palestinians evacuate a demonstrator during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border fence, in the southern Gaza Strip January 11, 2019(photo credit: REUTERS/IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA)
A Palestinian woman was killed and an IDF soldier was lightly wounded on Friday during violent protests along the Gaza border, where thousands of Palestinians gathered for weekly protests.According to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza, a Palestinian woman identified as 43-year-old Amal Mustafa Taramsi was killed after she was shot in the head by IDF troops east of Gaza City. Another 25 people, including a journalist and several medics, were reported injured after an ambulance was hit by a gas bomb.The military said some 13,000 Palestinians participated in the riots along the security fence, burning tires, throwing rocks, fire bombs and hand grenades toward troops, and trying to breach the security fence.According to the military, three Palestinians were able to breach the northern part of fence, prompting IDF troops to open fire. The three men crossed back over shortly thereafter.“IDF troops monitored the suspects in each incident and all the suspects returned to the Gaza Strip soon after crossing,” the army said.One soldier was lightly wounded by a stone during the violent protests and was taken to a hospital for treatment.Israeli soldiers responded with riot-dispersal methods that included tear gas and live fire. The military said it hit three Hamas positions in response to the violent incidents.More than 205 Palestinians have been killed and more than 22,000 injured since the March of Return protests along Gaza border began on March 30, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza. The protests call for an end of the 12-year-long Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.The violent protests came a day after a delegation of senior Egyptian intelligence officials entered the Gaza Strip to meet with senior Hamas members in an attempt to prevent an escalation of violence.The delegation, led by Egyptian General Intelligence Services Deputy Chief Ayman Badia, left through the Erez crossing Friday afternoon and headed to West Bank city of Ramallah to meet with Palestinian Authority officials.
Earlier on Friday, a Palestinian attempted to stab IDF troops stationed at a military post next to the Givat Ha’avot neighborhood of Kiryat Arba near Hebron. The attacker was shot and wounded by nearby troops, the military said. No soldiers were injured in the attack.
