Some 6,000 Gazans protested along the Israel border on Friday, with rioters reportedly hurling rocks and explosive devices toward Israeli troops, and some even trying to breach the border fence through Hamas checkpoints on the Gaza side, according to the Kan public broadcaster.
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that 52 protesters were injured in the riots, 24 of them by IDF fire. The health ministry also said two reporters, including a Chinese national, were wounded during the riots, but did not mention their condition.
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There are no reported injuries on the Israeli side.
Earlier Friday, Hebrew media reported that incendiary balloons launched from the Gaza Strip started a fire close to a kibbutz in Simhoni Forest.
Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians have escalated in the last few days. Three IDF soldiers were wounded overnight Wednesday when a Palestinian terrorist armed with grenades and a Kalashnikov rifle crossed the security fence in southern Gaza and opened fire on their patrol.
The terrorist, who was wearing a Hamas military wing uniform, was killed in the exchange of gunfire with IDF troops, IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis said.
On Thursday, a Palestinian gunman fired at an IDF vehicle near the Burqa Junction, located just northeast of Ramallah, local media reported. No IDF troops were reported injured in the incident.
This article was originally published by i24NEWS.
