STRICTLY SECURITY | Tensions seem to be rising between the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and Israel. Where could this situation be headed and what might the consequences be for all parties? Former IDF COGAT unit member Eitan Dagnot analyzes. 

Story:

Amid clashes with between Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Friday, the Gaza-based Palestinian Health Ministry reported that 14-year-old Yussef al-Daya died in the hospital despite doctors' efforts to revive him after he was shot in the chest by Israeli troops.

Around 41 more people were said injured in clashes with troops during the violent demonstrations, the ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said.

Some 8,000 Palestinians in the Gaza gathered along the border with Israel on Friday after local organizers urged residents to demonstrate in the weekly border protests in honor of the dozens of Palestinians killed in the Cave of the Patriarchs massacre ahead of the 25th-year anniversary of the deadly attack.

Some demonstrators threw improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and rocks at soldiers while tires were burned to obscure the Gazan side from view of Israeli forces stationed across the fence.Local media reported a number of attempts by Gazans to damage the border fence using fire bombs and cross into Israeli territory.

Israeli forces 'responded with anti-riot means and shot according to the operational procedures,' they said.

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank alike were urged to launch protests against Israel ahead of the Monday anniversary of the Hebron terror attack that in 1994 inflamed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and set off a wave of deadly clashes, threatening the sensitive peace process that was underway.

The February 25th attack wrought turmoil in the flashpoint city of Hebron after an ultra-Orthodox IDF reservist opened fire on worshipers during Ramadan prayers, killing at least 30 and injuring over 100.

Palestinians in the West Bank were also urged to protest on Friday, with Palestinian media reporting that 'Hamas operatives' had instructed residents on Friday to demonstrate at the Cave of the Patriarchs compound.

Since March 30 of last year, Gaza, residents have been demonstrating weekly along the border with Israel, with this Friday marking the 47th iteration.

Often espousing particular rallying cries for a given week, organizers this week called for the people in Gaza to actively participate in protest camps to stand in solidarity and 'loyalty to the Martyrs of the Ibrahimi Mosque'.

The organizers called on citizens to attend the marches in the eastern Gaza Strip, but urged protesters to contribute to peaceful demonstrations.

The demonstrations, in which protesters have demanded the lifting of Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip and the right to return to what they say are their ancestral homes in Israel, have often turned violent with Palestinians hurling rocks and explosive devices, attempting to infiltrate the border, and occasionally planting explosive devices or shooting towards Israeli forces.

In addition, the launching of airborne devices such as kites and balloons affixed with flammable liquids or explosives has damages thousands of dunams of land in Israel's south.

Although Hamas and Israel agreed on a ceasefire in November after months of violent clashes with the Israeli military, Palestinians continue to protest every week along the Gaza border.

At least 251 Palestinians have been killed in clashes with the Israeli army since March 30 last year.Most of the Palestinian casualties resulted from Israeli fire during the weekly border clashes, while some occurred during Israeli strikes in the territory.

At least 50 of the casualties have been identified as members of Hamas, which Israel (and the US) consider a terrorist organization.

During the same period, two Israeli soldiers were killed in the context of Gaza hostilities while another 52 suffered injuries.

One Israeli soldier was killed by a Palestinian sniper during border demonstrations while another died in a botched special forces operation inside the blockaded enclave.

For more, see our ⬇

Website
Articles: https://www.i24news.tv/en
Live: https://video.i24news.tv/page/live?clip=5a94117623eec6000c557fec (Subscription)
Replay: https://video.i24news.tv/page/5ab2a1b423eec6000b672ca2?utm_source=youtube.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=stricly_security&utm_content=en2 (Subscription)

Social Media
Barbara's Twitter: https://twitter.com/OpallRome
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/i24newsEN/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/i24NEWS_EN
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i24news/