By Xinhua,
Gaza : Israeli troops on Friday afternoon opened fire on Palestinian protestors in a rally in southern Gaza Strip to keep them from approaching Sofa crossing under the army’s control, wounding at least 10 people.
At least 10 people were wounded after Israeli forces opened fire on more than 3,000 Palestinians during a peaceful rally called by Hamas movement in protest against the continued siege of the strip, said witnesses.
Israeli forces started to fire at the protestors when they marched to the Sofa crossing, said the witnesses, adding that an Israeli tank also fired a missile in the direction of the Palestinians.
Local medical workers confirmed that the wounded were admitted to a hospital in Khan Yunis for medical treatment, with at least two of them were in a serious condition.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) noted that it will operate with all its strength to prevent the demonstrators from approaching the security fence or the crossing and “from entering the state of Israel.”
Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip since June last year when it defeated rival security forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, has mounted several similar rallies in recent months to press for an end to an Israeli-led economic blockade.