Gaza Demonstrator Dies of Wounds as Friday Protest Toll Climbs to Two

Gaza authorities say 220 wounded in border protests, being held under slogan of solidarity with residents of Bedouin town that Israel plans to demolish

Jack Khoury

Jul. 14, 2018

Send in e-mailSend in e-mail

$Relatives of Palestinian Nassir Shurab, 20, who was killed by Israeli troops during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border, mourn during his funeral in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip July 14, 2018, Credit: \ IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA/ REUTERS$

Relatives of Palestinian Nassir Shurab, 20, who was killed by Israeli troops during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border, mourn during his funeral in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip July 14, 2018Credit: \ IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA/ REUTERS

Jack Khoury

Jul. 14, 2018

A 20-year-old Palestinian died on Saturday of wounds sustained during the Gaza march on Friday, bringing the death toll of the latest round of demonstrations to two, the Gaza Health Ministry reported. The ministry identified the man as Nassir Shurab.

Meanwhile, footage of 15-year-old Palestinian Othman Hellis who was killed by Israeli army fire on Friday emerged, showing him trying to climb the fence and getting shot.

The two deaths bring the total toll since the beginning of the so-called "March of Return" to 139.

The 15-year-old who was shot dead.

The Gaza Health Ministry also reported that 220 people have been wounded Friday, some by live fire, in clashes with troops near the fence. Fifty-five of these required medical treatment in hospitals, according to the ministry.

The Israeli military said that violent clashes took place in Gaza Friday in which thousands of Palestinians participated. The army said it shot at a suspect who tried to cross the border into Israel during the protests.

"The Hamas terrorist organization continues to send civilians towards the border fence, putting their lives at risk and uses them to conduct terror activity. The IDF will not allow harm to the security infrastructure that defends Israeli citizens," the military statement read.

Friday's protests were held under the slogan of "Solidarity with the residents of Khan al-Ahmar," the Bedouin village that Israel plans to demolish.

Last Friday, one person was killed and 57 were wounded by Israeli military fire in protests at the Gaza-Israel border, which brought the number of dead since the beginning of the weekly protests near the border in March to 136.

Meanwhile, delegations from Hamas and Islamic Jihad ended on Friday a two-day trip to Cairo, in which they met the head of Egyptian intelligence regarding Palestinian reconciliations efforts.