Palestinian shot by Israeli forces at Gaza protest dies of wounds

A Palestinian wounded by Israeli fire during peaceful protests at the fence separating the Gaza Strip from Israel died on Saturday, Gaza's health ministry said.

Badreddin Abu Musa, 25, was "hit by a bullet to the head and died this morning," ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said in a statement.

Abu Mussa had on Friday been taking part alongside hundreds of Palestinians in demonstrations near the frontier with Israel when he was hit, Qudra said.

Seventy-five Palestinians were wounded, among them 42 hit by live fire, he added. There was no immediate word from the Israeli army.

Since March last year, the Gaza-Israel frontier has been the scene of protests by Palestinians demanding the easing of the Israel's decade-old blockade and the right of return of Palestinian refugees to their ancestral homes in what is now Israel.

At least 306 Palestinians have been killed since then by Israeli fire during the peaceful demonstrations, dubbed "The Great March of Return," with seven Israelis killed over the same period in Gaza-related violence.

Earlier this week Hamas announced an investigation into suicide bombings which left three police officers dead.

Such an attack on targets belonging to Hamas, which has ruled the densely populated strip since 2007, are rare, and are a sign of increased internal opposition among militant groups operating there.

Security forces loyal to Hamas increased  their presence on Gaza's main streets on Wednesday, inspecting cars and detaining a number of people for questioning in connection with Tuesday's bombings.