Israel fired two tank shells and several rounds from machine guns as Gazans approached the border with Israel on Sunday, injuring at least 45 youths, a Palestinian health official said. One of the wounded was in critical condition, the AP reported.
The rally near the Gaza-Israel border was part of Palestinian commemorations of their Nakba day (Israel's establishment.) Across the West Bank and Gaza, thousands took to the streets.
In Gaza, dozens of Palestinian protesters approached the border with Israel, and Israeli soldiers opened fire. The tank shells fell in an empty field several hundred meter) from the group.
Palestinian health official Adham Abu Salmiya conveyed 15 people were injured by bullets and shrapnel. All of them were under 18 years old, and one was in critical condition, he stated.
In a West Bank refugee camp and on the outskirts of Jerusalem, troops fired tear gas to break up large crowds of stone throwers.
In the West Bank, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said Palestinians hope this will be the year "in which our people achieve freedom and independence." In Gaza, Hamas counterpart, Ismail Haniyeh, told thousands of worshippers during a dawn sermon that Palestinians mark the occasion "with great hope of bringing to an end the Zionist project in Palestine."
