Palestinians injured by Israeli forces following Gaza border crossing unrest

Four unidentified youths were injured and transferred to Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza for medical attention following clashes with Israeli forces

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

07 October, 2017

Military forces in Gaza [AFP]

A number of Palestinians were injured after clashes erupted between the Israeli military and Palestinians near the Gaza-Israeli border.

According to Palestinian Authority’s news agency Wafa News, the clashes took place east of the town of Jabalia and al-Birij refugee camp.

Israelis had reportedly fired rubber coated steel bullets at a group of Palestinians near the border, and had also attacked them with tear gas.

Four unidentified youths were injured and were transferred to Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza for medical attention.

A 17-year-old Palestinian was also injured after he was shot in the foot during the clashes that broke out in al-Birij refugee camp. The teenager was transferred to a hospital for medical treatment, where his condition was at the time described as moderate.

It was reported earlier this week that Israeli army will close crossing points from the Palestinian territories for 11 days during the Jewish festival of Sukkot, which is currently being celebrated.

The closure of the West Bank and Gaza Strip - a measure frequently taken for major Jewish holidays - would run from midnight Tuesday, with only emergency cases allowed through, the army said.

Gaza has effectively been under siege by Israel since Hamas came to power in 2007, but has received most of its electricity and fuel from Israel ever since, subsidised by the PA.

A similar blockade from the Egyptian side of the border has exasperated the problems for Gazans, with energy, food, fuel, medical supplies and building materials in short supply.

In April, the PA phased out energy payments for Gaza to Israel causing frequent power cuts in the besieged territory and severe pressure on regional hospitals.

The World Health Organisation warned in June that the blackouts threatened Gaza's health service provision and placed people's lives at real risk.