GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - The Latest on the situation along the Israeli-Gaza border (all times local):
7:30 p.m.
Gaza’s Health Ministry says a 28-year-old Palestinian man has been killed by Israeli fire in a mass protest on the Gaza-Israel border.
The death brings to 28 the number of protesters killed in two weeks of border protests. In additions, hundreds of Palestinians have been wounded by Israeli fire since March 30.
Friday marked the third large-scale protest near the border fence since late March.
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6:50 p.m.
The Israeli military estimates that about 10,000 Palestinians participated in the latest round of weekly protests on the Gaza-Israel border and says it’s a significantly lower turnout than in previous rallies in the past two weeks.
Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said Friday that Palestinians repeatedly tried to damage the border fence, throwing several explosives and fire bombs.
Conricus told The Associated Press that the army is trying to “minimize” Palestinian casualties, but that open-fire regulations have not changed.
Gaza health officials say 528 Palestinians were hurt Friday, including 122 by Israeli army fire. Since late March, 27 Palestinians were killed in protests.
Rights groups say Israel’s open-fire regulations are unlawful because soldiers can use potentially lethal force against unarmed protesters. The Israeli military says snipers only target the main “instigators.”
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6:05 p.m.
Gaza’s Health Ministry says 528 Palestinians have been wounded in a mass protest on the territory’s border with Israel, including 122 protesters wounded by live Israeli army fire.
The ministry says 406 demonstrators suffered other types of injuries Friday, including being hit by rubber-coated steel pellets and being overcome by tear gas.
The ministry says 203 of those hurt were treated at hospitals and the rest at field clinics.
Friday’s protest drew thousands of people, the third large-scale demonstration along the volatile border in as many consecutive Fridays.
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4:40 p.m.
Gaza’s Health Ministry says 363 Palestinians have been injured by Israeli fire or treated for tear gas inhalation in mass protests on the Gaza-Israel border.
The ministry did not provide a breakdown according to types of injuries.
Friday’s protest drew thousands of people, the third large-scale demonstration along the volatile border in as many consecutive Fridays.
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3:30 p.m.
Gaza’s Health Ministry says 112 Palestinians have been wounded by Israeli army fire or treated for tear gas inhalation, but did not provide a breakdown.
The injuries were sustained during a mass protest Friday on Gaza’s sealed border with Israel, the third in as many consecutive Fridays.
Thousands of Palestinians gathered at five tent camps, several hundred meters (yards) from the border fence. Smaller groups moved closer to the fence, burning Israeli flags, throwing stones and torching tires.
Israeli troops fired live bullets and tear gas.
In all, 27 protesters were killed and hundreds wounded by army fire since late March.
Rights groups say the Israeli military’s open-fire regulations are unlawful because soldiers can use potentially lethal force against unarmed protesters. Israel says snipers only target the main “instigators.”
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2:45 p.m.
Thousands of Palestinians are staging a mass protest along Gaza’s sealed border with Israel with some burning Israeli flags, throwing stones and torching tires.
Israeli soldiers are firing tear gas and live bullets from across the border fence.
Gaza health officials say at least nine Palestinians have been wounded in Friday’s protest, the third of this scale in two weeks. Since late March, 27 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds wounded by army fire during such rallies.
On Friday, most demonstrators assembled in five tent camps located several hundred meters (yards) from the border fence. Smaller groups moved closer to the fence, throwing stones, torching tires and burning large Israeli flags.
The Israeli military say demonstrators also hurled an explosive device and several fire bombs near the fence.
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11:30 a.m.
Palestinians are streaming to tent camps along Gaza’s border with Israel for the third of what are to be weekly mass protests until mid-May.
The marches are organized by Gaza’s Islamic militant Hamas, but turnout is also being driven by desperation among the territory’s 2 million residents.
Marchers protest against a decade-old blockade and assert what they say is a “right of return” of Palestinian refugees to what is now Israel.
In two weeks, 34 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire, including 27 during protests. Israel alleges Hamas is using protests as a cover for attacks. Rights groups say military’s open-fire orders are unlawful.
On Friday, hundreds flocked to one of five camps near Gaza City, stepping on a large Israeli flag laid out on the ground at the entrance.
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