Palestinian protestors clash with IDF forces along Gaza Strip border
Thousands of Palestinian protesters clashed with IDF forces on Friday, throwing rocks and explosive devices. Two Palestinians breached the security fence and were arrested.
By HAGAY HACOHEN, ANNA AHRONHEIMPalestinian protesters during March of Return Friday clashes with IDF forces MArch 8 2019 (photo credit: SOCIAL MEDIA)
Thousands of Palestinians clashed with IDF forces on Friday afternoon during what they call the "March of Return,"IDF forces were assaulted with rocks and over 50 explosive devices.Fifteen attempts to breach the security fence were spotted. Roghly 8,000 Palestinians clashed with IDF forces in five different locations across the Gaza Strip Security Fence. Palestinian protesters attempting to breach the security fence along the Gaza Strip during March of Return events March 8 2019 / Maariv Twenty-three-year-old Tamer Haled Arafat was shot dead and 42 Palestinians were injured from IDF sniper fire, including 15 children and two women, Palestinian Ministry of Health said. Mohammed Abu Jazar, a paramedic working near Khan Yunis, was hit in the face with a "gas bomb." Three other paramedics and two reporters were also injured.Two Palestinians breached the security fence and were able to cross over to the Israeli side where they were arrested by IDF forces and sent for further questioning. One hand-grenade and a knife were found, IDF Spokesperson said.
Extensive IDF forces were placed on alert and Jewish communities near the location of the incident were alerted, Haaretz reported. The protests today are the 50th in a series of Friday clashes that began in March 30th, calling for an end of the 12-year-long Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.
A projectile landed in open territory in southern Israel after the red alert incoming rocket siren was activated in communities of Eshkol Regional Council on Friday evening.
On Friday, three clusters of explosive balloons carrying large objects were discovered in open fields within the council’s area.
One cluster carried a scarecrow while another carried a toy drone
With the one year anniversary of the Great Return March approaching, tensions with Gaza have significantly risen.
According to a report in the London-based Arabic language newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, the two sides are holding indirect negotiations mediated by Egypt to reach a ceasefire.Israel is demanding that Hamas cease all violence along the border, the rioting and explosive aerial devices launched towards southern Israel.
