At least one Palestinian was reportedly killed along the Gaza Strip border in clashes with Israeli troops on Wednesday.
The protests, which included provocations aimed at hurting or killing Israeli troops, were part of the events the terrorist group Hamas organized to mark "Nakba Day." The Nakba ("catastrophe" in Arabic) refers to the displacement of Palestinian refugees during Israel's War of Independence. Nakba Day, commemorating this event, is marked on May 15, which was the first full day of Israeli independence in 1948.
Groups approached the border fence, planting Palestinian flags and throwing stones at Israeli soldiers despite the efforts of marshalls to keep protesters away from the barrier, witnesses said.
Palestinian media said that one Palestinian provocateur was dead, while the Gaza Health Ministry said at least 47 people were wounded, though it was not clear how many of those were hit by live ammunition or were hurt by rubber bullets or by inhaling tear gas.
The Israel Defense Forces said about 10,000 rioters and demonstrators gathered in several places along the security fence.
"The rioters are setting tires on fire and hurling rocks," the IDF said in a statement. "A number of explosive devices have been hurled within the Gaza Strip, as well and a number of attempts have been made to approach the security fence. IDF troops are responding with riot dispersal means."
