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Gazan dies after border clash with Israel forces
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories, Dec 30, 2017 (BSS/AFP) – A Gazan died
on Saturday after being wounded by Israeli fire during a protest on the
border over US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, a Palestinian
health official said.
Jamal Muslih, 20, of Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, had been
seriously wounded by live fire on Friday, health ministry spokesman Ashraf
al-Qudra said.
His death brings to 13 the number of Palestinians killed since US President
Donald Trump announced on December 6 that he would recognise Jerusalem as
Israel’s capital and move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.
Eleven protesters died after clashes with Israeli troops, and two others
were killed in an Israeli air strike on Gaza earlier in the month.
More than 50 Palestinians were wounded in the Friday clashes on the Gaza-
Israel border as part of a “day of rage” over the US declaration, called for
by both Gaza rulers Hamas and fellow militant group Islamic Jihad.
In the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said at least 16
people were wounded when Israeli troops fired live rounds during
demonstrations, while others were hit with rubber-coated bullets.
Earlier on Friday, militants in Gaza fired three rockets at southern
Israel, two of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome aerial defence system,
with the third hitting a village near the border, causing damage but no
casualties.
Israeli aircraft and tanks targeted two Hamas positions near the border in
response, again causing damage but no casualties.
Rockets from Gaza are often fired by fringe Islamist groups but Israel
holds Hamas responsible for all attacks from the territory.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1430hrs