Death toll on Gaza-Israel border rises to six: ministry

GAZA CITY – Agence France-Presse

At least six Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces on March 30, Gaza’s health ministry said, as bloody clashes flared along the enclave’s border.

Jihad Farina, 33, became the sixth person killed when he was shot east of Gaza City, the health ministry in the Gaza Strip said, shortly after 16-year-old Ahmed Ouda was pronounced dead in similar circumstances.

Three other protesters were shot dead, while a farmer died when he was hit by a tank shell, the health ministry said, in the deadliest day in recent months.

Tens of thousands of people took part in protests along the border with Israel that Gaza’s Islamist rulers Hamas had said would be peaceful.

Smaller numbers approached the heavily guarded border in apparent attempts to breach the fence, as Israeli troops fired live ammunition.
More than 200 people were hit by live fire during the clashes, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.