Dozens Wounded As Zionist Regime Raids Gaza, Fires at Palestinian Protesters
In a statement late on Saturday, the regime’s military claimed it struck four weapons manufacturing and storage sites in Gaza belonging to Hamas, the group that governs the besieged Palestinian enclave.
The raids came hours after Israeli soldiers opened fire on crowds of young Palestinians protesting at the fence separating Gaza and occupied Palestine.
The Palestinian health ministry said dozens of people were wounded, including a 13-year-old Palestinian boy who was shot in the head.
“Forty-one civilians were wounded with various injuries,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Israeli regime’s military called the protesters “rioters” and said some had tried to climb the border fence and hurled “explosive devices” at its soldiers.
The military said it “responded with riot dispersal means, including when necessary live fire”.
The Israel border police said a 21-year-old sniper in its undercover unit was critically wounded when he was shot by a Palestinian protester. “His condition is critical and there is a risk to his life,” it said, Al Jazeera reported.
Late on Saturday, Hamas and other groups in Gaza issued a joint statement in which they “saluted the heroic youth” who clashed with Israeli forces.
The violence was some of the worst since a deadly assault by Israel on the Gaza Strip in May.
Over 11 days that month, Israel pounded Gaza with air attacks in response to rocket fire from the enclave. Hamas and other groups said they took action after Israeli forces violently stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound several times, including on the holiest night of Ramadan.
At least 260 Palestinians, including 67 children, were killed in the attacks.
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