FILE IMAGE: Israeli battle tank
UPDATE: According to the recent reports, about 12 Palestinians have been killed and about 1,000 injured in the ongoing clashes between protestors and the IDF in Gaza.
Three Palestinians were killed and about 20 were injured by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on March 30.
According to reports, early on March 30, IDF battle tanks opened fire when the Palestinians were approached the so-called security fence between Gaza and Israel. One of the Palestinians was killed. Few hours later, the IDF opened fire on two other Palestinians in the northern part of Gaza. One Palestinian reportedly was injured.
Two Palestinians burn agricultural equipment and other staff after infiltrating the security fence east of Gaza:
فيديو جديد لشابين يحرقان معدات زراعية ودشمة عسكرية بعد تسللهم شرق غزة. pic.twitter.com/4hqbL8pEZI
— نبض غزة (@Nbdgaza) 29 March 2018
According to Palestinian media, two more Palestinians were killed during clashes between protesters and the IDF at the Israeli-Gaza contact line. On the same time, reports are circulating that about 20 people were wounded in clashes with the IDF. Currently, about 7,000 Palestinians protest against the Israeli occupation.
The March 30 date marks “Land Day” commemorating the six Arabs who were killed by Israeli security forces during demonstrations in 1976 over land confiscations by Israel.
The IDF accuses Hamas of escalating the situation in an official statement:
“Thousands of Palestinians are present in six clusters along the border. The Palestinians have set fire to tires and are hurling rocks at the border fence and toward IDF troops. The forces are responding using riot dispersal measures and accurate fire targeting ringleaders.
In light of the security assessment, the IDF has declared the area as a closed military zone. Any activity in the region requires IDF permission. There are no special instructions to citizens.
The IDF had prepared in advance with large forces and is prepared to respond to various developments. We will not allow a breach of our sovereignty or harm to the border defences.
The Hamas terror organisation is endangering the residents of Gaza and using them as cover for terror activities. Hamas alone bears responsibility to all events and their ramifications.”
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) 30 March 2018
