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Palestinian Authority/Gaza, September 16, 2018

300 Palestinians riot along Gaza fence for second night

Original source

The Times of Israel

Hundreds of Palestinians rioted along the Gaza security fence on Sunday night, throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israeli troops on the other side, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

In response, the soldiers launched tear gas canisters at the rioters and fired live rounds "in accordance with the rules of engagement," an army spokesperson said.

According to the military, approximately 300 Palestinians in total took part in the violent demonstrations, spread out among three main locations. They threw rocks, firebombs and high-powered fireworks at the soldiers.

No injuries on either side were immediately reported.

Similar riots were held along the Gaza security fence on Saturday night, with some 450 Palestinians taking part, the army said.

Three grenades and pipe bombs were thrown at Israeli troops in those protests. The IDF responded with tear gas and live fire.

No soldiers or Palestinians were injured.

The ongoing clashes at the border, which Israel says are being orchestrated by Gaza's Hamas rulers, have included regular rock and Molotov cocktail attacks on troops, as well as shootings and IED attacks aimed at IDF soldiers and attempts to breach the border fence.

Gaza protesters have also launched incendiary kites and balloons into Israel, sparking fires that have destroyed forests, burned crops, and killed livestock.

On Sunday, the army also said it was carrying out searches for a possible drone that was launched from Gaza into Israel days earlier, Hadashot news reported. The IDF fears the drone was meant to cause damage by crashing into people or structures, according to the report.

On Friday, 12,000 Palestinians participated in the weekly demonstrations along the border.

The army said rioters burned tires and hurled rocks at Israeli soldiers, who responded according to open-fire regulations.

In several incidents, grenades and bombs were hurled at the troops. Shrapnel from one pipe bomb lightly injured an IDF officer who was treated at the scene. In response, the military said, an aircraft and a tank struck two Hamas posts.

Israel says its actions - and in particular the use of live ammunition - are necessary to defend the border and stop mass infiltrations from the territory. Israel has accused the Hamas terror group of encouraging the protests and using them as cover to attempt to carry out terror attacks, including firing at troops and attempting to breach the border fence.