Renewed violence between Palestinians and Israelis has seen six Palestinians shot dead in Gaza, reports say, and a fresh spate of stabbings.
Relatives mourn over the body of a Palestinian who died during clashes with Israeli security forces. Photo: AFP
Friday was the deadliest day between Israel and the Palestinians for some time. Israel said its troops fired over the Gaza border after coming under attack.
Palestinian medical sources said the six Palestinians were shot dead and many others wounded in two separate incidents in Gaza on Friday when Israeli troops opened fire.
Those killed were part of a group protesting in solidarity with Palestinians in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli military said more than 1000 protestors had massed at the border fence, throwing a grenade and rocks, and rolling burning tyres at Israeli forces.
The military said after firing warning shots, troops fired towards the "main instigators" to disperse the protestors.
Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians have recently soared amid a rash of attacks and confrontations between Palestinians and troops.
Palestinian protesters throw stones at Israeli troops next to Israel's controversial separation wall in east Jerusalem. Photo: AFP
Since last weekend, at least three Palestinians - including a 13-year-old boy - have been killed by security forces in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Hundreds of Palestinians have been wounded.
Gun and knife attacks by Palestinians have left four Israelis dead and many wounded. An Israeli couple were shot dead in the occupied West Bank in front of their four children, while two more Israelis were killed in a stabbing in Jerusalem's Old City days later.
There has been a sharp rise in violence between Israelis and Palestinians since late last month, when clashes erupted at a holy compound in East Jerusalem.
Extra Israeli security forces have been deployed in Arab neighbourhoods of East Jerusalem. There are new metal detectors in the Old City and roadblocks nearby.
The sporadic lone wolf attacks by young Palestinians have been motivated by deep anger over access to al-Aqsa Mosque.
-BBC
