GAZA: Clashes erupted as protesters gathered along the Gaza border on Friday, a week after similar demonstrations led to violence in which Israeli force killed 19 Palestinians, the bloodiest day since a 2014 war.
Palestinians burned tyres and threw stones at Israeli soldiers over the border fence, who responded with tear gas and live fire, AFP journalists said.
One person appeared to have been shot east of Gaza City, an AFP photographer at the scene said, but his condition was not immediately clear.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in locations near the border east of Khan Yunis, in the south of the blockaded Palestinian enclave, and east of Gaza City.
The numbers were so far lower than last week, but more were expected in the afternoon after the Friday prayers.
Mounds of tyres were set up which were to be lit on fire throughout the day in what Gazan protesters want to be a smokescreen from Israeli snipers.
Israeli forces took up positions across a ridge on the other side of the border and set up a giant fan about two metres high in an apparent bid to push away the smoke.
“I will be a martyr today. I will cross the border,” Ahmed Abu Ghali, 20, who held up his shirt to show his still seeping wound from last week that required 40 stitches, said east of Khan Yunis.
“I was wounded last Friday but escaped yesterday from hospital.”
Israel’s military said in a statement that “hundreds of Palestinians have been rioting in five locations along the border with the Gaza Strip.”
It added that “troops are responding with riot dispersal means, and fire in accordance with the rules of engagement.”
Israel has warned that its open-fire rules remain unchanged for Friday’s protests, pledging to stop any damage to the fence and to prevent infiltrations or alleged attacks.
But it has faced mounting criticism over its use of live fire, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for restraint.
“I particularly urge Israel to exercise extreme caution with the use of force in order to avoid casualties. Civilians must be able to exercise their right to demonstrate peacefully,” he said in a statement.