Two Palestinians have been shot dead by Israeli forces in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday, medical sources said, as demonstrations entered their fourth week along the Gaza-Israel border.
Ashraf al-Qudra, spokesman for the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, said Ahmad Abu Aqel, 25, died of bullet wounds sustained east of Jabaliya, without providing further details. The Israeli army said it was looking into the incident.
Security sources in Gaza said Abu Aqel was standing near a group of people setting fire to tyres near the border with Israel.
His death brings the number of Gazans killed by Israeli forces in demonstrations and clashes since March 30 to 35, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Thousands of Gazans were gathered on Friday at various locations along the border in the blockaded enclave, calling for Palestinian refugees to be able to return to their former lands in what is now Israel.
Hundreds were clashing with Israeli forces, an AFP correspondent said.
Israel has pledged to stop damage to the fence, infiltrations and attacks, and alleges there have been attempts at all three.
It accuses Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, with whom it has fought three wars since 2008, of using the protests as cover to carry out violence.
