3 killed, 248 injured in Israel-Gaza border clashes

At least three Palestinians were killed and hundreds of others injured on Friday during clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli soldiers along the Gaza-Israel border, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qedra said three Palestinians were shot dead during the violence in several areas of eastern Gaza, while 248 people were injured. Of those injured, 120 were taken to hospitals for treatment and 80 had suffered gunshot wounds from live ammunition. Two volunteer paramedics were also among the injured.

The clashes occurred during the 25th Friday of the "Great March of Return", a protest movement that began on March 30. Hundreds of Palestinians gathered at five locations near the eastern border, waving Palestinian flags, burning tyres and chanting slogans against Israel.

Some demonstrators also launched incendiary balloons towards Israel. Local media reported that about eight protesters briefly crossed the border after cutting through barbed wire in southern Gaza before returning to the enclave.

The Israeli military said around 13,000 Palestinians took part in the demonstrations. An Israeli army spokesperson also said Israeli tanks targeted military installations belonging to Hamas in eastern Gaza.

Israeli media reported that Palestinian activists threw three firebombs at an Israeli military unit positioned near the border. The reports also said incendiary balloons launched from Gaza triggered several fires inside Israel.

Hamas spokesperson Abdulatif al-Qanou'a said the "Great March of Return" protests would continue until their objectives were achieved. Another Hamas spokesperson, Sami Abu Zuhri, said the group would continue using various means to challenge the blockade on Gaza.

The protests have repeatedly resulted in deadly confrontations along the border, raising international concern over the use of live ammunition and the escalating violence.

According to al-Qedra, the protests had, by that point, resulted in the deaths of 177 Palestinians and injuries to more than 19,000 others since they began in March.

The demonstrations have centred on Palestinian demands related to the right of return for refugees and an end to the blockade of Gaza, while Israel has said the protests pose a security threat and accused Hamas of exploiting the gatherings for violent purposes.