Thousands protested along the Gaza Strip’s border with Israel in a fourth straight Friday of mass demonstrations and clashes, with two Palestinians shot dead by Israeli forces. Gazans also flew dozens of kites near the border fence, in some cases carrying Molotov cocktails and one with a swastika painted on it, in a new tactic that sparked at least two small fires in Israeli territory this week. The latest deaths brought to 36 the toll of those killed by Israeli forces since March 30, with hundreds of others also wounded by gunfire, according to Gaza’s health ministry. More than 120 protesters were injured by various means on Friday, the ministry said. Israel says it has only opened fire when necessary to guard its border and prevent violence, but no Israelis have been wounded and its open-fire rules have come under scrutiny. With the protests seen by Israel as posing a challenge to its security forces, military aircraft dropped leaflets in the border area early Friday warning against approaching the fence. Referring to the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip, the leaflet said: “You are participating in violent riots. The Hamas terror organisation is taking advantage of you in order to carry out terror attacks.” Published in Daily Times, April 21st 2018.