Skip to main content

Israel strikes Gaza as protests rock enclave

Daily protests have erupted in Gaza since Israeli authorities closed the only gateway for pedestrians to enter Israel from the blockaded coastal enclave
Palestinian demonstrators move away from tear gas amid clashes with Israeli soldiers in south Gaza near the Israel-Gaza border fence on 23 September (AFP/File photo)

The Israeli army launched new drone strikes on the Gaza Strip Sunday targeting "two military posts" of the Hamas movement amid clashes between forces and Palestinians along the Israel-Gaza barrier, a military spokesperson said.

The Israeli army "struck two military posts" belonging to the Hamas movement in the Bureij and Jabalya areas where "violent riots" were taking place, the army said in a statement.

"An explosive device was hurled from the centre of Bureij toward soldiers, adjacent to the security border in the Gaza Strip," it said, adding that the troops did not suffer any injuries.

Gaza has been rocked by daily protests since Israeli authorities closed the Erez Crossing, the only gateway for pedestrians entering Israel from the coastal enclave.

The Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza said that five Palestinians had been injured "by Israeli bullets" during a demonstration along the border.

New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch

Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters

Protesters have often resorted to burning tyres, throwing stones and petrol bombs at Israeli troops, who have responded with tear gas, live bullets and drone strikes.

Thousands of Palestinian workers from Gaza have been prevented from entering Israel by the closure of the crossing, which an Israeli NGO, Gisha, condemned as "collective punishment".

Israeli forces kill two Palestinians in West Bank incursion
Read More »

Israel has issued work permits to some 18,500 Gazans, Cogat, the Israeli defence ministry body responsible for Palestinian civil affairs, told AFP on Tuesday.

Since 13 September, six Palestinians have been killed and dozens wounded during violence at the border, according to figures from the health ministry in Gaza.

Israel has imposed an air, land and sea blockade on the impoverished Palestinian enclave ever since the Hamas group came to power in 2007.

Armed conflict sporadically erupts between Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip.

In May, an exchange of Israeli air strikes and Gaza rocket fire resulted in the deaths of 34 Palestinians and one Israeli.

Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.