Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Hamas leader Ismail Haniya called Monday on Gazans to keep up their protests on the Israeli border that have resulted in deadly clashes.
“Gaza enters a new stage of peaceful and popular resistance,” Haniya said during a visit to a tent camp for protesters.
The Gaza-Israel border has since March 30 been the scene of major protests, with tens of thousands of people demonstrating against the Jewish state.
Israeli troops have responded with force, killing 31 Palestinians.
Israel says it has only opened fire when necessary to stop damage to the border fence, infiltrations and attempted attacks.
It alleges Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip and with whom it has fought three wars since 2008, is seeking to use the protests as cover to carry out violence.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.