At least 18 Palestinians wounded by Israeli army during protests along eastern borders of Gaza 

According to Palestinian security and medical sources, at least 18 Palestinians on Monday, 21 August, were wounded by the Israeli soldiers stationed along the eastern borders of the besieged Gaza Strip. 

Speaking to The New Arab, security sources said that "the Israeli occupation forces opened fire against dozens of Gaza, who participated in a protest marking the 54th anniversary of burning Al-Aqsa compound by Michael Dennis, an Australian Jewish extremist, in 1969."

According to security sources, the protestors gathered near the eastern fence of Gaza to express discontent against ongoing Israeli violations against the Palestinian people and their holy places. 

"They [the demonstrators] were peaceful, carrying Palestinian flags and chanting against Israeli racism and criminality," the sources said. 

However, the sources added, the "Israeli soldiers opened fire and shot gas canisters at the protestors, wounding a number of them mostly in their legs and chest."

Around 18 casualties, including a photographer, were transferred by local ambulances to the Shifaa hospital in Gaza to receive immediate treatment, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. 

In a press statement sent to TNA, the ministry said that "the injuries of the protestors were between medium and light."  

The protests were organised by several Palestinian factions, including the Gaza-ruled Islamic Hamas movement and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, to send a clear message to Israel that all holy Palestinian places occupy the same value for the Palestinians, according to Khader Habib, a senior leader of the PIJ. 

Speaking to TNA, Habib said, "We came here to mark the 54 anniversary of the burning of Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem and in solidarity with Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails."

"The Al-Aqsa Mosque is purely Islamic, and it is the exclusive right of Muslims alone and is not subject to division, negotiation, or giving up any part of it," he added.  "Our people are becoming more aware that armed resistance is the only choice to liberate the lands and obtain legal human rights, including establishing their independent state in all their historical areas."

He stressed that "the Palestinian cause is central for our nation, and the Arab and Islamic nations must bear their responsibilities with the Palestinians in liberating Palestine and Al-Aqsa Mosque."

The protests in Gaza coincided with an escalation between the Israeli occupation forces and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, which recorded more than 120 wounded, including eight by live bullets, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS). 

Since January, more than 220 Palestinians, including children and women, have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers, according to official figures.