BICOM

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are making preparations for more violent protests along the Gaza border.

Today’s protest is the third consecutive Friday of what Gaza’s ruling Hamas group said would be several weeks of so-called “March of Return” demonstrations Hamas leaders say ultimately they aim to see the removal of the border and the ‘liberation of Palestine.’

Last Friday, the protests involved burning thousands of tyres to create a smoke screen. Today, it is anticipated that protestors will burn large numbers of Israeli flags and throw Molotov cocktails at the border fence. The organisers have reportedly decided that each Friday should feature a special activity to ensure the initiative remains in the international media spotlight.

Last Friday, 20,000 Palestinians demonstrated along the Gaza border and there previous week there were an estimated 40,000 protesters. Thirty two Palestinians have been killed and more than 1500 wounded as a result of action taken in response by the Israeli army including tear gas, rubber bullets and firing live ammunition. Israel says it has opened fire to stop attempts to damage the border fence and to prevent infiltrations and attacks at soldiers. Israeli officials are concerned that if the border were to be breached the risk of casualties would be even higher.

On Thursday evening, the Hamas run Health Ministry in Gaza said  that Palestinian protester Abdullah Mohammed al-Shahari died from his wounds after being shot earlier in the day by the IDF. According to the Israeli military, two Palestinians approached the border fence in the Khan Younis area and soldiers followed protocol by first firing warning shots in the air to try and warn them off.