Israel fires at Gaza despite truce efforts
Israel fires at Gaza despite truce efforts
Cross-border fire was exchanged between the Israeli army and Gaza despite talks for a long-term truce.
2 min read
Israel has enforced a stifling blockade on Gaza for over a decade [Getty]
Israel fired at the Gaza border early on Monday, reported the army, despite efforts underway for an Egyptian brokered long-term truce between Israel and Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, the army claimed "a terrorist shot at IDF troops in the northern Gaza Strip, in response IDF troops shot towards the terrorist," referring to the Israeli military.
No soldiers were wounded.
Israel on Sunday closed its only crossing for people with the Gaza Strip, days after its forces shot and killed two Palestinian protesters along the Israel-Gaza separation barrier. The only goods crossing was reopened just last week after closing it to most deliveries for more than a month.
Israel has enforced an air, land and sea blockade on the Gaza Strip for more than a decade, but grants permission to a limited number of people to cross for various reasons.
The exchange of fire comes after US President Donald Trump's ultra-hawk national security adviser John Bolton arrived in Israel for talks with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
Bolton told Netanyahu of "the great challenges" facing the allies, and that "the Iran nuclear weapons program, the ballistic missile programs are right at the top of the list."
Israeli forces have killed more than 160 Palestinians since the Great Return March border protests began on 30 March, while more than 17,500 have been injured.
Egyptian and UN officials were hoping to finalise the details of a long-term truce between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip after the escalation in violence led to fears of a fourth war.
The UN has said a continuing blockade would make Gaza "unliveable" by 2020.
Follow the Middle East's top stories in English at The New Arab on Google News
